Where are you

by Claire Axcell

“But the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, “Where are you?

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭9

One of the most infuriating aspects of existence for me, is to not be apologised to, especially when I was a child.

The injustice of it all still rankles, and to be honest, if I left it, this feeling could easily turn to bitterness and anger. Having seen the emptiness of bitterness, I think I’d rather avoid that thank you very much.

As a parent, I have tried to model the art of apologising. Of not being too big to say sorry, even to my own children.

How I can expect them to say sorry to others if they haven’t been apologised to. How can I expect them to show mercy, if they haven’t been shown it?

To show my own vulnerability, humanity, to be humble enough to say ‘actually mate, Mother messed up. I’m sorry.’ 

One of the most achingly beautiful things about God, is that even though he knows when we’ve messed up, or sinned, his question is not ‘how could you?’ It’s ’where are you?’ or ‘where’s your heart?’ 

This action is always accompanied by him coming after his people.

He comes after Adam and Eve in the garden, he goes to Abraham’s tent to ask after Sarah, he descends from Mount Sinai to be with his people, he comes in the person of Jesus to walk with us, he sends his Holy Spirit to dwell with us. 

It’s his invitation to come close as he comes close to us, to work together to solve whatever issue is at hand. He invites us to share our vulnerability, and not hide from him. In this we find mercy and love, rather than condemnation. God wants our hearts, warts and all. 

Father, 

Thank you for your ever loving kindness and mercy. Thank you for what you did for us on the cross, thank you that you are after our hearts so that in drawing close to you we are continually changing to be more akin to you.

Amen