Dear Family and Friends,

“Where are you?”

I was always amazed when Aileen stopped what she was doing and yelled out to our then young kids – Where are you? What are you doing?

She somehow knew when they were doing something they shouldn’t. It was like she had this all knowing sixth sense, and eyes that could see through walls. 

These same words – Where are you? – were also God’s first words to Adam and Eve after they ate the forbidden fruit. (Genesis 3:9 NIV)

If God knew where they were (Well, He is omnipresent), and He knew what they had done (He’s also omniscient), why did He bother asking a question?

God knew the relationship had been broken. But rather than condemning or rejecting man, God expressed a desire to be near once again, to reunite, and to invite man to confess.

I had a similar experience this week as God asked me – where are you? But it wasn’t prompted by a sin.

It felt more like an invitation to slow down and check-in, to self-reflect, to identify areas of growth – spiritual growth and unwanted sinful growth.

My week was one of soul searching, beginning with this prayer.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

My friends, I realize that we all lead busy lives. But when did you last spend time in self-reflection?

Paul told his church, “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” And,“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”  ‭‭1 Corinthians 11:28 NIV and 2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If this interests you, here are a few questions to help you get started.

  • Where am I in my relationship with God?
  • Am I living my life for God or have other gods crept into my life?
  • Am I struggling or feeling anxious rather than looking first to God? Have I misplaced my faith and trust?
  • Are there areas in my heart where pride and self-righteousness are quietly growing?
  • Am I obedient to His will and my calling? Am I doing what He asks of me?
  • Are there any relationships with brothers or sisters that should be restored?

This practice of self-reflection can be very uplifting, if done correctly.

Remember, this is not an exercise in self-condemnation or to measure how far short we fall.

This is an opportunity to adjust our bearings, and to find our way back to the narrow path, if necessary. This is a periodic health check of our souls.

If we find an area to correct, let’s remember this is not about working harder at our faith.

This is about God’s grace. Grace we don’t deserve. Grace that is beyond anything we can possibly do to merit.

What we can do, however, is realize the seriousness and costliness of sin, a cost we need not pay because of God’s grace.

Let me close by sharing what Paul saw in himself.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”  1 Timothy 1:12-14 NIV

Paul’s story is our story.

And the grace poured out on Paul abundantly, has been abundantly poured out on us as well.

God is asking – where are you?

With grateful hearts, let’s answer Him by investing in the health of our souls.

Grace and peace to you.

In love always,