Where are you?
The world was new, and the idyllic atmosphere can only be imagined as utopian. There was life - every imaginable plant in its budding and blooming form, fragrant and beautiful, every creature in its wild diversity and docile demeanor. But even more than the beauty we can only imagine and placidity we can only dream of, there was connection. Man and woman in perfect regular fellowship with their Creator. Creation enjoyed Creator, and Creator delighted in His Creation.
Every evening after the day's tasks, they walked together, shared with one another on a deep level, maybe even laughed. I imagine it to be like those hushed tones that used to come from the kitchen as mom and dad began the day while the rest of use slept a little longer - peaceful, purposeful, wedded, one.
Perfection.
Then imperfection - namely sin, namely Creation finding its satisfaction in self-promoting, self-directed actions that led away from the Creator.
It was bad; bad enough that they hid in the shadows of the created haven from the Creator of the haven... as if He didn't know every inch of the Garden intimately.
The sun began to set, the usual calm and settling of the day began. Time to unwind with the King of the universe. But everything had changed. Forever.
God entered for the evening stroll, but they weren't waiting for Him this time. And in a reverberating tone echoing from empty spaces, God asked, "Where are you?"
As if He didn't know.
God knew where they were, but the hiding pair seemed suddenly aware of themselves, unaware of Him, and making every effort to avoid the One Who came to them. What is it about us that makes us hide from God at the moments we need Him most? It's not always sin and shame that chases us from shadow to shadow. It's often just an unwillingness to be present with Him, to allow Him to enter into our broken world. Do we blame Him for our messes or just reluctance to process before Him the details that bring us low?
As we enter the New Year, we ought to listen for the same voice in the same hushed environment in the same all-knowing, ever-seeking tone. Dear reader, where are you?
Where are you in relation to the God Who loves you and continually seeks you out? Where are you in your regular appointment-keeping with the King of the Universe?
Time to stop hiding perhaps by first identifying what deed done by you or to you made you vacate God's active fellowship? What situation is coming between you?
God, your Father, still comes to you looking for relationship (not perfection.) Where are you?