by Cathy Vinson

God says to us, "Where are you?" When it seems Jesus is irrelevant to our present need, He says, "Where are you?" When the "sound of the Lord God walking in the garden" reveals our nakedness and we hide He calls, "Where are you?"

We aren't out of the picture for the loving Father. He EXPECTS to see us on His evening walk. We can never bow out of His scenery graciously without notice. In its conspicuousness, He will call out, "Where are you?"

How can we deal with the "splangchrizomai" of the Lord? (Though translated compassion, it refers to the gut reaction coming from the womb of the Lord.) Brennan Manning, a restored, fallen brother calls it "His relentless tenderness." In his words, when Jesus sees our desire to be left alone, He replies, "I will not leave you alone. You are mine. I know each of My sheep by name. You belong to Me. If you think I am finished with you, if you think I am a small god you can keep at a safe distance, I will pounce on you like a roaring lion, tear you to pieces, rip you to shreds, and break every bone in your body. THEN I will mend you, cradle you in My arms, and kiss you tenderly."

What is our response to the sound of His footsteps? Are we looking for a tree to hide behind? Do we change the topic of conversation, switch the channel, close the book, distract ourselves with busy-ness? May we be thankful that we have a God who won't pass by the evening without calling out to us, "Where are you, My child?"

But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?"

(Gen 3:9)