And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? – Genesis 3:9
Have you ever tried to find a specific store in a shopping mall? If you go to the mall’s map, the first step is to find the dot labeled, You Are Here. You have to know where you are before you can find out how to get where you want to go.
At times in our lives we face decisions and circumstances in which we feel we need God’s direction. Because He has promised that to us, we may begin seeking His guidance immediately. However, sometimes God has to show us where we are before He can tell us what to do next.
For example, perhaps we are seeking God for guidance on how to resolve a relationship problem. God might tell us, “You Are Here,” by helping us see that we are hanging on to some resentment against that person. We may need to extend forgiveness in order for the problem to be solved.
Or maybe we are asking God to cause our supervisor at work to have a more cordial attitude toward us. God’s “You Are Here” might indicate that we should arrive at work on time!
If we are seeking God’s leading on whether or not to buy a specific new house, God might want us to recognize that the price is beyond our budget.
When we are nervous about a school exam, God might want us to understand the importance of doing our homework rather than spending excessive amounts of time on the computer or our phones.
The Lord wants us to seek His will for the details of our lives. He wants to hear about the minor stresses and the major issues that may look like potential catastrophes. Furthermore, He wants to give us His directions on how to handle these matters. However, we should not be surprised if He gives us a “You Are Here” lesson in the process.
When God came to the Garden after Adam and Eve had sinned, He knew exactly where they were. He did not ask, “Where art thou?” in order to find Adam. God asked that question so Adam would recognize and admit where he was and what he had done.
If God is helping you get located today, take heed. After you know where you are, He will show you how to get where you ought to be.