Where Are You?
But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Gen. 3:9
The look in her eyes told me something was seriously wrong. She passed us pushing her cart like it was a tank in the mud. Her face was filled with fear and despair. She called his name a little louder each time. “Levi, Levi…Levi, Levi, Levi” It quickly became obvious she was missing a child. I went one way as my sister Susan went the other, searching for her missing little boy. Row after row we searched. When I passed row five, I spotted, who obviously was Levi as his face too was etched with fear.
“Are you Levi? Come with me darling, your mom is right here.”
Timidly and cautiously, he turned my way, but when he heard mama’s voice drawing closer, he hurriedly made his way toward her voice. Clutching each other there were deep sighs, long hugs and grateful words. No scolding, only love and celebration.
Weak kneed, Susan and I watched through tears, as we too had tasted the dreaded fear of what could have been. Praise God, Levi had not been snatched, only momentarily separated from his mom that seemed like forever.
Just days after this experience, I was moved to tears when I read about another parent and child separation. A perfect relationship was broken by sin in the Garden of Eden. God went looking for His children. As God walked through the garden, row-by-row, He called out to them with an impassioned cry.
“Adam, where are you? Eve what have you done?”
We know that God being all-knowing was not calling them because He didn’t know where they were. Nor was He surprised that they had eaten of the forbidden tree. He called because He wanted His children. They must have been like little Levi turning the corner and walking toward their Father’s voice. This reunion was filled with love and grace, but there they stood, hideously trying to cover their nakedness with fig leaves. No amount of fig leaves could ever cover this shame.The broken relationship stood divided now by disobedience. It took the shedding of the blood of an animal from which God made garments to cover their sin.
God longed for His children. He stepped into the messy, now sin touched garden and everything changed forever. He knew that one day, Martha, Susan, Levi and all of His children, being separated from Him, would need a Savior. In the infinitude and eternalness of God, He came calling for me on that day.
He cried out, “Martha, Martha, where are you? What have you done? I want you. I love you. I have made provision for you.” The blood of Jesus calls me by name and restores me to right relationship with Him.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name;
you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Oh, what gratitude fills my heart that He came seeking and searching and saving me. He didn’t walk out of the garden and forget about you or me. We are His beloved children. He sent His Son to cover us in all of our lostness.
Where are you today? He loves you. He doesn’t pursue you to punish you, but to forgive you. He calls you to Himself that the relationship may be restored. Like little Levi, hear His call through this blog today. Turn ever so quickly toward His voice and run to Him. Grace and mercy will embrace you. You haven’t gone too far. He sees you. He knows your desperate need. Forgiveness and love are waiting for you.