“Adam, where are you?” (Gen 3:9)

Ever since Adam invented hide and seek we’ve been playing the same game. We seep into the shadows of the woods. We drop out of sight in the maze of city streets. We go underground pulling camouflage over our me-me-me attitudes, bad habits and pet sins. Then we peep from behind the trees, peer around the corners, pop our heads up to see if the coast is clear. Why are we driven to conceal ourselves? Who are we intent on avoiding?

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doing.” (Jeremiah 17:9,10) Our hearts really are deceitful and wicked and deep down inside we know something about us is not right. We don’t know the depths of our depravity, but we are aware enough to head for the woods. Who are we ever dashing away from? The One who knows the true state of our hearts and all the awful junk we do. And to a lesser but still tormenting degree, we try to cover up our heart failings from others and even from ourselves. Therein is the heart of man.

The heart of God cries out: “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.” (Joel 2:12,13)

The heart of God cries out: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mat 11:22-30)

The heart of God cries out: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:3,4)

“Adam, turn to Me with all your heart…come to Me for rest…tuck yourself under My wings.” Therein is the heart of God. Why in the world are we hiding? Let’s turn, let’s come, let’s nestle beneath those wings. Perish the thought that it be said of us - “but you were not willing!”