Where Are You?

Where Are You?

Genesis 3:9: But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

This morning’s lesson was an awakening reminder: God has always been seeking us.

So many of us spend time running from God, hiding from God, or trying to prepare ourselves to be “good enough” for God. Yet, God has always pursued us—for love, accountability, and reconciliation.

In the story of Adam and Eve in the garden, after they sinned, they heard God walking and hid themselves. Then God called out, “Where are you?”

For many years, I wondered why God needed to ask that question.

Today, my spirit understands—it wasn’t because He didn’t know where they were physically. It wasn’t a question of location. It was the very first question God asks in the Bible, and it was a search for humanity after the fall.

God wasn’t asking Adam where his body was—He was asking where his soul was.

He was searching for the children He created with purpose.

Have you ever known someone so deeply—their innocence, compassion, empathy—and then sensed a change in them? We often call it “acting out of character.” In those moments, our question echoes God’s: Where are you? What happened to you?

We remember their heart, their joy, their love. But then something shifts.

Often, there is an event behind that change—trauma, grief, abandonment, broken relationships, betrayal, fear, shame. These experiences can reshape a person. Sometimes, people build walls as protection from further hurt.

Yet even then, God is still searching for the part of us He created—the part that reflects His image. The part that is still capable of love, grace, and connection.

That is why forgiveness is so important for those who believe in God. That is why leading with love is not optional—it is essential.

We often say:

• “I can forgive, but I will never forget.”

• “I forgive, but I will never trust again.”

• “I don’t deal with them because of who they are.”

But if we truly embrace those beliefs, how are we representing God?

God forgave Adam and Eve—the very ones who disrupted His perfect plan. Their actions introduced sin into the world, affecting all of humanity.

It was so profound that redemption required the sacrifice of His only Son.

And yet—He forgave them.

He continues to love, pursue, redeem, and reconcile His creation to Himself. That is the character of God.

So how do we so easily proclaim to be His disciples and His children, yet struggle to forgive as He does?

Where are we?

How do we so easily judge, hate, and harm one another—blaming it on our humanity—when our humanity was designed for love and redemption?

How do we justify war, violence, and the loss of innocent lives as if people are disposable?

How do we use our words to wound our brothers and sisters?

How do we give up so quickly when life becomes difficult?

How do we fail to walk by faith?

God has always had faith in who we can become.

He has always believed in our redemption.

He has always seen beauty, grace, and love within us.

His eyes see nothing less in His creation.

God continues to seek after us. There is nothing that can separate us from His love—except our own choice to turn away.

So, I ask again:

Where are you?

Where are we?

What have we become?

And how do we return to what God intended us to be?