GodSprings - 16, March, 2018

Will God Seek Me Even When I Hide?

But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you."

Genesis 3:9

Last week I called home as I usually do after coming back from school. I first called my mother but she didn’t answer. So then I called my father. He too didn’t and then I called Saumya (my wife) and she also didn’t answer. Even after repeated calls none of them answered. An hour later I again called and still there is no answer. There was no message also from Saumya since morning. During such a time good thoughts seldom come to our mind. Wild thoughts rushed into my mind. What could have happened? Where could they have gone? At last at 5.30 in the evening I get a call from my mom. I was furious and shouted at her for not answering and calling back. And then she narrated as to why they didn’t. She told that since afternoon it was as if their life had come to a standstill.

Our daughter Nanma was not to be found since afternoon. Since painting of our house just got over all were busy in arranging things back. Nanma was playing in the verandah and in the afternoon when she was called for lunch there was no answer. Mom, dad and Saumya went around the whole house and nearby house but Nanma was not to be found. After 4 hours she came out of the bedroom. Seeing her they all came back to life. They asked where she was and she told she hid behind the suitcase under the bed because she was afraid Saumya would scold her for not doing the thing she was asked to do.

We all hide ourselves from many people. Some hide from parents. Some hide from their bosses. Some hide from their friends. And the list goes on. Why do we hide? We hide only when we think we have done something wrong. But is it possible to hide from God? Psalm 33:13 says The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man. Did Adam think that by hiding God won’t be able to find him? If he hid thinking God will not find him it was stupid of him and it is foolish for us also to think that God won’t find us or the wrongs we have committed.

But if God sees everything he knew where Adam was. Why didn’t God directly go to Adam? Why did God question, “Where are you?” God did not ask because he didn’t know where Adam was hiding. God knows all and sees all. God was giving Adam an opportunity to realize the sin he has committed. More than disobedience God wanted to regain back the fellowship He had with Adam. God asked Adam where he was in order to bring him out of his hiding place. And this was done not for condemnation but for restoration.

The question was a chance for Adam to seek God. God just wanted Adam to confess and repent. To the question where are you if Adam had replied, “I am sorry Lord. I did a grave mistake of disobeying your commands.” The chapter would have been closed there itself and the same old relationship would have been regained.

Being human we are prone to make mistakes. And when we make a mistake or commit a sin we are filled with guilt and there is a desire in us to go away or hide from God. But hiding from God will not make us the person God intended us to be. God is a God of relationship and so no matter how hard you try to hide from Him, He will come seeking and searching for you.

May we listen to Him calling out where are you and respond Here I am, your servant. I am sorry for the things I have done. Forgive me and accept me as your child.” Say this prayer and God will prepare a feast –  for this child (you and me) was lost but now has been found.