“Where are you?”

All-knowing God called out to the man He’d crafted with His own fingertips, asking a question yet already knowing the answer. I’ve often pictured God in this moment as a chuckling parent, standing behind Adam and pretending not to see him. But when reading this passage again, I gained a different perspective.

In an instant, Adam learned of his vulnerable condition and faced shame followed by fear. He assumed that his disobedience ruined everything, and all the good times were over forever. So when he heard God walking nearby, Adam didn’t dare run into the presence of his Creator; he hid, ashamed and afraid.

God chose not to peel back trees with a breath, revealing Adam’s hiding spot. He didn’t march through the garden broadcasting the serpent’s cunning words or send angels to evict them without getting personally involved. Instead, God affirmed His desire for relationship by inviting Adam into a conversation.

“Where are you?”

He didn’t start with questions about what they had done, who they had spoken to, how they had disobeyed, or whose fault it was. No, God started with the question closest to His heart. Father God created us to be near, and Adam had hidden himself away.

“Adam, I love you, I’m eager to spend time together, and you’ve placed yourself apart from Me. Where are you?”

I imagine Adam evaluating his situation, crouched there in his patch of trees. Where am I? You know I’m here. You probably see me even though I’m trying to avoid you. I’m right here.

In the Garden of Eden. Slouched behind these flimsy branches. Cloaked in shame. Frozen in fear. Distancing myself from You.

Then Adam made the best decision he’d made all day. Above the noise of his failure and beyond the shouts of shame and fear, He listened to God’s voice calling for him. And he replied.