Our True Identity

Maybe I’m the only one, but did you ever think it was funny that God had to look for Adam and Eve after they ate the fruit and hid?

“The Lord God then called to the man and asked him: Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)

If God is all-knowing, this question doesn’t make sense. Unless it’s like that time when your child has messed up and is hiding under the covers or in the closet and you want to draw them out. Pulling back the covers or opening the door will just frighten them more than they already are.

I think it’s funny how we carry that instinct into adulthood. How often do we think we can hide from God? I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve talked to someone who is in the middle of a major struggle or devastating life event, and they feel like they can only ask for help in their prayer and give gratitude for the help they have gotten. They can’t see any help at all right now, but that’s what they’re supposed to do.

Telling God how angry and hurt they are is off-limits. That is, it’s off-limits until they tell me and they realize that God already knows how much they are hurting and how angry they are. He’s been calling and waiting for them to come out from their hiding place. Only then can the grace He has for them begin to flow into those places of deepest hurt.

God can see through any mask we wear. Whatever we’re hiding isn’t really hidden.

What if we let God into those hidden places? What if we saw them as He does – with eyes of love, compassion, grace, and healing? What would happen then?