Readings for today: Genesis 3-5
The text asks two important questions of us today. Two questions that are worthy of prayer and reflection as we begin the new year. “Where are you?” and “Where is your brother?” Both of these questions are obviously rhetorical. It’s not like God can’t see Adam hiding in the bushes. It’s not like God doesn’t know Cain has killed his brother Abel. What God is doing in asking these questions is giving each of them a chance. A chance to confess. A chance to come clean. A chance to repent and restore their relationship with Him. Sadly, both Adam and Cain deflect. Adam hides because of his shame and then proceeds to blame his wife rather than take responsibility for his decision. Cain argues with God, claiming he is not responsible for his brother’s well-being. Both men are rightly judged and found wanting and yet both men find grace as well. Adam is given clothing to cover his nakedness. Cain is given a mark signifying God’s protection.
“Where are you?” Where is your heart? What is the state of your soul before God? What is the quality of your relationship with Him? Are you hiding in shame over what you have done? Have you willingly engaged in a lifestyle of sin? Are you doing all you can to avoid God in your life? If you were to meet God today and He were to ask you this question, how would you respond?
“Where is your brother?” Where is your sister? Where are the people God has placed in your life? What is the quality of your relationship with them? Do you understand your responsibility for them? Do you know you are your brother or sister’s keeper? Do you seek the good of those around you? Do you seek to serve those you love on a daily basis? Do you know their burdens and struggles and do you do all you can to help relieve them? Do you rejoice over them in success or do you allow envy to take root in your heart?
I think about these questions a lot. The first question drives me to prayer. Drives me to God’s Word on a daily basis. Drives me to worship with God’s people. I long to know God more. I long to meet God face to face. I long to understand more of who He is and what He’s all about and why He loves someone like me. I don’t want to hide from God. I don’t want to withhold any part of my life from God. I don’t want to live with shame over who I’ve been and what I’ve done. I want live authentically, openly, and transparently before Him.
The second question takes me outside of myself. It focuses my attention on others. My family. My friends. The church family I serve. The mission partners I am in relationship with. The people I know here in Parker and around the world that I love dearly. I am my brother and sister’s keeper. I cannot avoid this responsibility. I cannot shrink from this call. What does this look like in my life on a daily basis? It means waking up every morning and committing myself to serve my wife and children. It means intentionally setting aside time to connect with extended family and friends. It means being available for my church family. It means responding to friends I have around the world who are suffering in so many ways. It means listening well to those around me so I always know where they are physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Where are you? Where is your brother or sister? Take some time today and talk to the Lord about these questions.
Readings for tomorrow: Genesis 6-7