Where are You, Child? | Genesis 3
Welcome to Real Life. From the dawn of creation to this morning’s sunrise, our God calls to you and me.
A friend of mine is estranged from her adult daughter Sarah[1]. Although Sarah was raised in the church, as an adult she walked away from God. Recently, because of their opposing views on faith, Sarah broke contact with her mother and the family. My friend’s heart aches as she cries, “Where are you, Daughter?” This mother’s cry echoes the heart of our Father God.
Before time began ticking, when the universe was a dark, empty void, God called the world into existence. After creating stars and moons, oceans and continents, fish and animals, he designed the first man and woman in his own image. God placed his children, Adam and Eve, in a garden called Eden[2]. In the cool of the day, God himself would walk with them and enjoy their company. Adam and Eve lived utterly free. They knew nothing of shame, fear, or regret. Humanity was fresh out of the package, pristine and unspoiled.
“You may eat from any tree in the garden,” their Father God told them, and then added one stipulation, “you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Unfortunately, we know the rest of the story. The serpent entices Eve. She bites. She then shares the forbidden fruit with Adam who was with her.
So, they die, right? Well, not immediately. Their act of rebellion, however, introduced death into our freshly alive world. Ever after, each human born must eventually face death. But that’s not all. Alongside physical death, Adam and Eve experienced the death of innocence. They suddenly became aware of and embarrassed by their nakedness. Utter freedom was swallowed by shame. They attempted to hide their nakedness with fig leaves. More poignantly, they attempted to hide from God. And yet, as he did every day, their Father God came looking for them.
God knew, of course. He saw it all. He knew precisely where Adam and Eve were hiding. Even so, notice that God does not barge in with angry condemnation. “Adam and Eve, get over here! I know what you did. After giving you everything, how could you disappoint me?” Instead, our heavenly Father calls out with a question. Because questions spark conversations. Conversations build relationships, and relationships are a priority with our God.
The three talk about what happened. Make no mistake, actions have consequences. Paradise is lost. Adam and Eve are banished from the garden. A wall now blocks the perfect closeness and intimacy they once experienced with their Father God. Even so, He promises to send a Savior who will crush the evil serpent, tear down the wall, and redeem our broken world.
Am I, are you, hiding from God? Maybe not intentionally, but here’s the reality. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, we were born into a broken world and more significantly—a broken relationship with God. We inherited their propensity to sin. When told to turn right, we obstinately turn left. We feel the burn of shame, fear, and regret. Our nakedness is exposed. And…we hide from God.
Because he desires a relationship with us, the Father sent us a Savior to tear down that wall. On the cross, Jesus Christ paid the penalty in blood for Adam and Eve’s sin and every sin since. The lies we told. The things we stole. The selfishness. The ugly anger. When we place our faith in Christ, his sacrifice covers our nakedness. We can stop hiding. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). Our relationship with God is restored. Heaven—paradise regained—awaits us.
“Where are you, Child?” our Father God calls. Will you answer?
Dear Father God,
No matter where we hide,
You see us and love us.
In the midst of a noisy world
May we hear your gentle whisper.
And come running home to you.
Please forgive our sins.
Cleanse our souls.
Come abide in us and with us.
Empower us to live freely and intimately with you.
By the blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Take it further:
“Man is not what he thinks he is, he is what he hides.”
–André Malraux
A friend of mine is estranged from her adult daughter Sarah[1]. Although Sarah was raised in the church, as an adult she walked away from God. Recently, because of their opposing views on faith, Sarah broke contact with her mother and the family. My friend’s heart aches as she cries, “Where are you, Daughter?” This mother’s cry echoes the heart of our Father God.
Before time began ticking, when the universe was a dark, empty void, God called the world into existence. After creating stars and moons, oceans and continents, fish and animals, he designed the first man and woman in his own image. God placed his children, Adam and Eve, in a garden called Eden[2]. In the cool of the day, God himself would walk with them and enjoy their company. Adam and Eve lived utterly free. They knew nothing of shame, fear, or regret. Humanity was fresh out of the package, pristine and unspoiled.
“You may eat from any tree in the garden,” their Father God told them, and then added one stipulation, “you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Unfortunately, we know the rest of the story. The serpent entices Eve. She bites. She then shares the forbidden fruit with Adam who was with her.
So, they die, right? Well, not immediately. Their act of rebellion, however, introduced death into our freshly alive world. Ever after, each human born must eventually face death. But that’s not all. Alongside physical death, Adam and Eve experienced the death of innocence. They suddenly became aware of and embarrassed by their nakedness. Utter freedom was swallowed by shame. They attempted to hide their nakedness with fig leaves. More poignantly, they attempted to hide from God. And yet, as he did every day, their Father God came looking for them.
“Where are you?”the Lord God called to the man.Genesis 3:9
God knew, of course. He saw it all. He knew precisely where Adam and Eve were hiding. Even so, notice that God does not barge in with angry condemnation. “Adam and Eve, get over here! I know what you did. After giving you everything, how could you disappoint me?” Instead, our heavenly Father calls out with a question. Because questions spark conversations. Conversations build relationships, and relationships are a priority with our God.
The three talk about what happened. Make no mistake, actions have consequences. Paradise is lost. Adam and Eve are banished from the garden. A wall now blocks the perfect closeness and intimacy they once experienced with their Father God. Even so, He promises to send a Savior who will crush the evil serpent, tear down the wall, and redeem our broken world.
Where are you, Child?
Am I, are you, hiding from God? Maybe not intentionally, but here’s the reality. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, we were born into a broken world and more significantly—a broken relationship with God. We inherited their propensity to sin. When told to turn right, we obstinately turn left. We feel the burn of shame, fear, and regret. Our nakedness is exposed. And…we hide from God.
As with Adam, God knows. He sees us. He knows precisely what trees we hide behind. Still, our Father God calls out, “Where are you, Daughter? Where are you, Son? I want to walk with you in the cool of the day. I want to hear your heart and share my heart with you. I want you to know me and experience my love for you.”
Because he desires a relationship with us, the Father sent us a Savior to tear down that wall. On the cross, Jesus Christ paid the penalty in blood for Adam and Eve’s sin and every sin since. The lies we told. The things we stole. The selfishness. The ugly anger. When we place our faith in Christ, his sacrifice covers our nakedness. We can stop hiding. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). Our relationship with God is restored. Heaven—paradise regained—awaits us.
“Where are you, Child?” our Father God calls. Will you answer?
Dear Father God,
No matter where we hide,
You see us and love us.
In the midst of a noisy world
May we hear your gentle whisper.
And come running home to you.
Please forgive our sins.
Cleanse our souls.
Come abide in us and with us.
Empower us to live freely and intimately with you.
By the blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Take it further:
Perhaps like me, you wonder why God allowed the presence of evil in his perfect garden. True love is a choice. In order to truly have the freedom of choice, both good and evil must be present. Learn more here.
Talk with someone about coming home to the Father by calling 1-888-NEED-HIM or online at Chat About Jesus.
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