Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The traditional purpose of Lent is to prepare ourselves for the commemoration of Holy Week. During the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter believers spend time reflecting on their lives in order to draw closer to God. Reflection entails that we ask ourselves questions about our relationship with Christ. In his book Questions God Asks Us, author Trevor Hudson marked a turning point in his faith journey when he realized the Bible is filled with questions God asks us. A look at the first question God asked will guide our reflection during Lent.
When Adam and Eve were in the garden, they broke the first rule God gave them. They ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In their shame, they sewed fig leaves together to hide their nakedness and then they hid. “But the Lord God called to them, ‘Where are you?’”
What does this question tell us about God? God pursues us. God was in pursuit of Adam and Eve, but it was their choice to come to him. He asks us the same question, “Where are you?” He beckons us to come to him. I recall many times I went in pursuit of my young children, calling out, “Where are you?” I wanted to find them. I wanted them to call out, “Here I am!” or “I’m coming to you!” God wants the same from us.
God pursues us and desires for us to unite with him. The prophet Isaiah tells us that he waits for us to come to him. When we wait on him, we will be blessed. He will respond to our cries and he will lead us and teach us the way to go. Isaiah reminds us that when we are in tune with God, our eyes and ears will be opened to his leading. We will hear that still small voice saying, “This is the way you should go.” This voice is the prompting of the Spirit.
So the LORD must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the LORD is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 40: 18-21
During Lent let’s answer God’s call to us, “Here I am, Lord. Show me the way to go.”
When Adam and Eve were in the garden, they broke the first rule God gave them. They ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In their shame, they sewed fig leaves together to hide their nakedness and then they hid. “But the Lord God called to them, ‘Where are you?’”
What does this question tell us about God? God pursues us. God was in pursuit of Adam and Eve, but it was their choice to come to him. He asks us the same question, “Where are you?” He beckons us to come to him. I recall many times I went in pursuit of my young children, calling out, “Where are you?” I wanted to find them. I wanted them to call out, “Here I am!” or “I’m coming to you!” God wants the same from us.
God pursues us and desires for us to unite with him. The prophet Isaiah tells us that he waits for us to come to him. When we wait on him, we will be blessed. He will respond to our cries and he will lead us and teach us the way to go. Isaiah reminds us that when we are in tune with God, our eyes and ears will be opened to his leading. We will hear that still small voice saying, “This is the way you should go.” This voice is the prompting of the Spirit.
So the LORD must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the LORD is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 40: 18-21
During Lent let’s answer God’s call to us, “Here I am, Lord. Show me the way to go.”
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