God is asking,WHERE ARE YOU?
In Genesis, after Adam and Eve ate the fruit and realized they were naked, they hid. God asked Adam, “Where are you?” not because He didn’t know where Adam was, but because He was inviting Adam into a conversation—a chance to reflect and repent. This wasn’t just about an apology. Repentance is deeper; it’s about turning away from sin and redirecting ourselves back toward God, a genuine change of heart. In Genesis 3:9, it says, “But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?'” God didn’t need information; He wanted Adam to recognize where he was, not only physically but spiritually.
This applies to us, too. Sometimes, we find ourselves drifting away from God, not because He’s left us but because we’ve allowed guilt to drive us away. We know when we’re doing something wrong, and sometimes we choose to sin anyway, feeling trapped afterward. The guilt weighs on us, making us feel unworthy of God’s presence. But instead of approaching God with honesty, we often show up with excuses or justifications. In Psalm 32:5, David writes, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” God knows what we’ve done, but He’s waiting for us to come to Him openly, to find forgiveness and freedom from guilt.
When we keep things hidden, or let shame block us, we’re actually becoming our own worst enemy. We’re standing in the way of our own spiritual progress, allowing guilt and shame to drive a wedge between us and God. We’re not only hiding from Him; we’re limiting our own growth and healing. It’s as if we’re putting ourselves in a prison we’ve built, all the while holding the key in our hands. Romans 8:1 reminds us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” When we turn back to God, we find mercy, not judgment. There’s no need to hide because God’s love is greater than our mistakes.
Sometimes, God will allow certain situations in our lives as a form of discipline, to steer us back on track. Maybe something unexpected happens, or we face a series of setbacks that seem to stop us in our tracks. Often, this is God’s way of getting our attention, letting us know that we’re taking a wrong turn. In Hebrews 12:5-6, it says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” God’s correction isn’t meant to punish us; it’s meant to guide us back to Him. It’s like a parent teaching their child to avoid danger. When we start seeing obstacles in our lives, it’s worth asking if God is gently redirecting us.
But here’s the challenge. We can become so focused on our desired outcome that we ignore the process. We become so set on reaching a certain goal that we overlook God’s warnings along the way. Maybe the path we’re on feels good in the short term, but we’re not seeing the bigger picture—the long-term consequences of ignoring God’s direction. And in that moment, when we start to shut out the Holy Spirit, other voices become louder. John 16:13 tells us, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” The Holy Spirit is our guide, our internal compass, leading us toward God’s truth. But when we ignore His voice, two others take over: our own desires and the enemy’s lies.
Listening to the Holy Spirit requires humility and honesty with ourselves. It means acknowledging that we don’t have all the answers and that our own voice, when disconnected from God, can lead us astray. The enemy’s voice, on the other hand, is designed to keep us feeling trapped, making us think that it’s too late, that we’re too far gone. But God is always ready to guide us back. The moment we turn to Him, He’s there, ready to welcome us with grace, even if we’ve wandered.
Our relationship with God isn’t based on us being perfect. It’s based on us being open, honest, and willing to change. Repentance is simply about returning to God, acknowledging where we’ve gone off course, and trusting Him to lead us back. And when we do, we find a loving Father who’s been waiting all along, calling out, “Where are you?”
