But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)
I am seeking God’s wisdom on how to be freed from some credit card debt at the moment and the best ways to be financially savvy for when retirement officially happens in 20 years. I am a complete novice at it (quite stupid, to be honest) but I was watching a YouTuber who has notched up a few hundred thousand views for his advice about preparing for the future. I didn’t understand about 80 percent of what this man said about investments, of which I have none, and pensions and the like. But there was one point, which really stood out. He said that people needed to step back from being over-obsessed on details, and have an overview of where they have come from and where they are going.
This is also an important point for our spiritual lives, which are far more important than our wealth status. In fact, our relationship with God directs all our responsibilities, monetary and otherwise. Sometimes we can feel like Adam in the Garden of Eden who has made certain decisions and now finds himself completely lost. The Lord calls out to him, “Where are you?” And it seems He didn’t just mean the geographical location of Adam but a visceral question about the current position of their relationship, and where the first man walking on the Earth was headed.
The apostle Paul addresses this to a degree when he writes to his son-in-the-faith, Timothy. First, he confesses his own shortfalls as a violent man and blasphemer, perhaps to encourage Timothy in his own weaknesses, and to be clear that he is no better than other “lawbreakers and rebels.” It is only by “the grace of the Lord poured out on me abundantly” that he is not defined by sin. And then he reminds Timothy of prophetic words given to him in the past, in a sense asking him, “Where are you?” prompting Timothy to both recall and remember what God has said to him previously: “Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience… ‘ (1 Timothy 1:18a).
We know the freedom in God, and fight battles well, by knowing the gospel in our hearts and the calling of Jesus upon us. Taking time to remember and recall how the Lord has interrupted the narratives of our personal lives, bringing hope, reassurance and direction, is really important. It helps us know our identity, our location, where we have come from and where we are heading to. It gives us a sense of “stand up and fight!” and to walk forward in life, holding the hand of the Messiah – thus walking in proper liberty.
Leave a comment