I’m engaged right now in a study by Ann Voskamp. She’s the author who prompted me to begin the thanksgivng book I’ve talked about many times.

Oh, did I tell you? I finally reached my goal of “1000 thank yous.” Almost every day, I wrote one thing for which I was thankful, and I’m on my way to the next thousand!

Anyway, I’m using Ann’s newest materials to engage in a Bible study she calls “Waymaker.” Just as God made a way for the children of Israel to pass through the treacherous waters of the Red Sea, so He makes a way for us through our tumultuous times.

I talked two weeks ago about being still. Stillness is a “way” to know God.

Here’s a question for you. What was the first question God ever asked in the Bible?

He spoke. He said,

“Let there be light.” Genesis 1:3

Then he said, “Let there be an expanse” and land and birds and fish and creepy, crawly things. He proclaimed these things to be, “Good.” He gave instructions—”Be fruitful, multiply, fill ths earth, subdue it, rule over it.

But, what was God’s first question?

Maybe it has popped in your head now. After Adam and Eve had disobeyed and hid themselves, God called out,

“Where are you?” Genesis 3:9

Of course, He knew exactly where they were, not just in location, but also in spirit. They knew they had failed to be obedient, so they played the blaming game. Adam said, “She gave me the fruit . . .” She said, “The serpent deceived me . . .”

We do that too, don’t we? Make excuses. Blame. Busy ourselves. But God asks the question. “Where are you?”

You might say, “Lord, I wake up and mentally do a list of all I have to do today.” Or “My boss just won’t let up on me.” Or “I’m so worried about my daughter. I just don’t know how to help her.” Or “Lord, I’m weary of my husband’s attitude” or “dealing with my mother’s care” or “determining how to navigate as a widow” or whatever else usurps your attention.

All these things and more fill our lives, sometimes because of our mistakes and sometimes because that’s just the way life is. He comes to us ready to help, ready to sort out our concerns, but He asks, “Where are you?

We may be quick to remind HIm all the many things we’re accomplishing, but the Lord says, “That’s what you’re doing, but I’m asking, ‘Where are you?’” He’s not asking what you’re doing or not doing; he’s asking, “Where are you in Spirit?”

Is that a question that resonates for you? Do you need to carve out time to talk to HIm, listen to Him? Ah, back to the “Be still.”

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

~ Joyce ~