Where Are You?

Such a deep question from the heart of God unto sinners; yes, to those transgressors called human beings and to every human being, each one born in iniquity and saturated in sin. Where are you, indeed?

Adam and Eve disregarded the word of the Lord and opted to listen to the serpent, to the creature placed under Adam’s dominion. Yet now this serpent spoke words that led Adam and Eve to destruction and death. The sin of Satan now filled the heart of Adam and Eve.

Upon walking in the perfect garden, the Lord God, knowing all things and their transgression to His word, humbled Himself to call out to them, “Where Are You?” (Gen. 3:9). The guilty pair hid and attempted to cover their shame and sin. Doing so, they established the coping mechanisms of self that seek to cover wrongdoings with various man-made ideas, ideologies, and opinions. Their sin drove them to hide and to cover-up. Iniquity ran in every fiber of their being and they sought to escape the Lord’s question that held them accountable. A simple question consisting of three words that continues to call-out to the soul of mankind: “Where Are You?”

This is the question that assaults every person’s attempts to cover-up their lack. Insecurities and inadequacies rooted in fear keep people locked up in prideful preservation of self, arrogant boasting, and self-justification. All to escape this question that seeks to uncover, lay bare, and reveal the soul’s guilt. Mankind’s deep inferiority, however, does not want to be seen and known as guilty, imperfect, and evil; thus, pride overshadows him and becomes his strength, taking opportunity to be exalted in mankind’s fleshly predicament.

From the womb, every human being begins crying-out, both demanding and commanding satisfaction and fulfillment. When the ability to communicate develops, human beings are immediately covering-up wrong-doing to avoid culpability; always wanting to be seen as the most right or the least wrong in any given situation or relationship. Excuses and explanations flood forth, half-truths are spoken and believed, all attempting to thwart this question’s piercing intent, “Where Are You?”

King Saul covered himself amid equipment when called to be king and present himself before the people (1 Sam. 10:22). Inferiority crept over him and drove him to hide away. He then covered himself with three-thousand soldiers to ease his lack of confident faith. Saul was squeamish with a mushy backbone, thus, he made up for it with outward expressions of faith, harsh commands, and with men-of-war to safeguard his fragile ego. Though taller than most, he was short inside. Saul never answered the Lord’s call, “Where Are You?” King Saul always had an answer to excuse and explain. When the Holy Spirit brought him to prophecy, it did not last; he quickly succumbed to his self-preserving ways. Saul preferred the cover-up and found his solace in the praise of the people.

So, ask yourself right now, “Where Are You?” Your answer must go beyond, “I’m fine,” or “I’m all set,” or I’m doing well,” or simply “Good!” The true answer can only come forth by way of the Holy Spirit who brings you out of pride’s cloaking presence; the Holy Spirit is the only way to truly know and humbly answer the Lord's query.

What are you hiding amid or behind. I’ve watched mothers hide by keeping their children in front of them in a conversation to soothe their uncomfortability. I’ve watched people hide in make-up and jewelry. I’ve seen people pose with all their credentials or degrees to appear spiritual or anointed.  I’ve watched pastors and preachers clothe themselves in such a way to appear sacred, pious, anointed, or sometimes simply “relevant,” so they put on their jeans and T-Shirts to appear common. Churches cover-up their lack of spirituality, so they cover themselves in colors and lights, banners and flags, and a sound system to rival the last trumpet’s call.

People use décor of all kinds, hiding and covering themselves with tattoos, clothes, cars, and all sorts of things to outwardly adorn themselves. All to avoid the true answer to the question, “Where Are You?” All attempting to find value, identity, and confidence through outward means and ways.

To answer rightly, probing questions are used to bring your soul to see and admit self’s lack, to expose your personal ways of coping, and to confess. In this squeeze, many hide-away to their little hideouts, man-caves, and diva-dens. Perhaps some vacation days, shopping trips, or a bit of gambling to ease the stress. Maybe your cover-up is to swear a bit, make jokes, have a drink, enjoy a bit of revelry, or just sulk, pine, whine or work. A covering can also be a little playground in your own mind or a soothing time with some TV monitor of some sort. Some get mad, some just run, most deflect and neglect the true issue.

In these times people will prefer the life of self-proving, self-pleasing, and self-promoting. Adam and Eve’s life of sin began this way as well; they illustrated self’s need to be right and excused from any culpability by immediately excusing and explaining. Their replies to the Lord’s continued inquiry revealed self’s prideful presence. Following the initial question, the Lord asked them these three questions:  

“Who told you that you were naked” (3:11)?

“Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat” (3:11)?

“What is this you have done” (3:13)?

Their replies were all an attempt to cover-up in some way. This is the natural man’s way and mode of operation. Beware, it is not the Holy Spirit. He always desires truth in the inward parts, as David found out when he opted to conceal and cover-up instead of lay bare all his wrong-doing with Bathsheba and Uriah. Remember, Ananias and Sapphira did not learn the lesson of David as they sought to deceive. The Holy Spirit sent His clear message to the church (Acts 5:3–10).

The correct response to the Lord’s question, “Where Are You?” is a repentant one that simply begins with “I’m right here,Lord.” With complete disclosure and full exposure, “Here I am Lord!” With no hiding, no cover-up, and with no delusions of self-grandeur; you are undone and made known; your fearful, insecure heart of inadequacy and inferiority is seen by God and by all observants.

This requires a full surrender to Him, a surrender of self-will and self-rule. You are free to be free! You are free to belong to Him and to become His child, His people, and His possession. You are now fully seen, but more so, you have been found by the Father. You answered His call to you, “Where Are You?” with the right reply, “I’m right here Lord.” No longer hiding yourself away, trying to escape His fiery eyes, holy presence, or austere judgment.

The Lord God sees you and He is now your Father. Like Christ on the Cross, naked and fully exposed, so the Holy Spirit sets the saint free from the pains and pleasures of this world, from self-congratulatory efforts, from offense and bitter feelings, from the need to be right, affirmed, and understood. From a host of self-centered needs. Answer His question today!

May the Holy Spirit move you to consider your ways, thoughts, and intents of your heart and grant you the grace to face your own coverings and overcome with truth that lays bare.  Amen.

Dr. Gary H. Cote

May 31, 2018