The Hiding

I can think of no greater place to acquire a clear picture of distancing oneself from God than in Genesis.

Adam and Eve had everything we crave closeness, intimacy, communion and perfect communication with the God of the universe, then In what must have seemed like an instant everything changed.

We know the story: the tree, the apple the sin and inevitably the separation.

The Hiding occurs when we see our sin

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:7

For Adam and Eve it began with covering their nakedness. Before this they were naked and not afraid. Sin changed everything about their relationship to each other and with God himself. It brought a desire to hide and it brought shame. When they began to see the consequences of their actions and realized that they had to own up to them, they started to hide.

We aren't any different! I try to cover up my sins by being too busy to stop and reflect on them or by simply avoiding things that are too deep. Spending time with God is difficult when I am in this hiding stage, I push everyone, including God away from me.

I have a dear friend who lives in California, 2000 miles away for me. We have known each other for over 20 years and has stood by me when I have been in hiding. She will call me and leave a message, "Just checking in, please call me".  Normally, I will call her back and we will get caught up, but during a period of hiding I won't even listen to the message. There is this little voice inside of me that says, "Don't connect, don't get close, she'll know that you are struggling if you talk with her!" Lovingly, she pursues me until I call her. This good friend reminds me of the deep love that Jesus has for us. He waits, pursues ands welcomes us back.

It is in these times that I cling to the truth of God's word. I am so grateful that He has shown us the frailties of people throughout scripture.  it's so comforting to know that I am not alone in my hiding.

God pursues us

When we read on in Genesis we see God pursuing them.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.  But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” Genesis 3:8-10

If I stop long enough, I hear God calling out to me, "Where are you"?  In that moment everything can change. What has seemed like a huge chasm is now remedied. if I will stop, come out of hiding and return to Him, those times of closeness will be felt again and all is well. In that moment I am reminded that I am His beloved and He is near.

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f you have been farther from God that you want to be, than why not stop and ask Him to be close again?