Where Art Thou?

...and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

In the third chapter of Genesis we read of Adam's transgression. This story is most familiar (or should be) to the Bible reader. After the creation of man, the Lord put him (Adam) in the garden to dress it and keep it. In other words, Adam was a gardener. God told Adam he may eat of anything he wishes, with one exception. He may not eat of the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil. As we well know, the serpent beguiled Eve, Adam’s wife, and they ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. At this moment, their eyes were opened to their sin, and they realized they were naked. Adam and his wife then sowed fig leaves together, making an apron to attempt to cover up their shame (their nakedness). Adam and Eve hear the Lord in the garden, and hid themselves (so they thought) among the trees in the garden. Now, be not confused, the Lord knew exactly where Adam was and what Adam had done. The Lord knows all that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future. He is all knowing and all powerful. The Lord asked Adam as he was hiding in the trees, “Adam, where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9). Adam replied that he hid because he heard the Lord in the garden, and was afraid because of that which he and his wife had done.
There is a lesson to us in this exchange of words between the Lord and Adam. Many times in life we sin against the Lord just as Adam did. We disobey His commandments for us as individuals and church members. Those who are baptized disciples of the Lord have obligated themselves to live an honest life, attend church, study, pray, help those in need, etc. So that brings up the question…Where art thou? Do we spend our time serving God? Adam had plenty of things to keep himself busy dressing and keeping this garden the Lord had given him care of. I dare say that we (as church members, and disciples of Christ) have plenty to keep us busy during the week when we aren’t in church also. It puzzles one to think of all the time we have that could be used to serve God, yet so many (myself included) usually end up doing the exact opposite of what the Lord has given us to do. My friends, let us ask ourselves each individually this question: Where am I? If the Lord were to ask you today, where art thou? Could you shamelessly answer Him “Lord, here I am.” May we be conscious of our own behavior, and live in service to His great cause.