GOD ASKS: WHERE ARE YOU?

THE QUEEN OF QUESTIONS HAS THE TABLES TURNED AND NEEDS TO GIVE SOME ANSWERS

The name I’ve been bestowed by my children and husband is “Queen of Questions.” If you’ve spent much time with me, you can appreciate how this happened. I call it being curious, but you can imagine how my nature gets in the way of a teenager’s quest to spread his/her wings and fly . . . under the radar.

In my job as a travel writer and blogger, my tendency and ability to ask questions comes in very handy. After all, I’m constantly seeking information and interviewing. I always want to know just a little bit more.

Recently, while attending the Southern Christian Writers Conference, I heard keynote speaker Eva Marie Everson address the topic of “What Do You Hold In Your Hand?” She was talking about the power and potential that writers have with the “pens” we use, but her title was drawn from God’s question to Moses in Exodus 4:2 (NIV)- “Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.” As we know, Moses ended up using that staff for many purposes during the wilderness journey, and it became a symbol of God’s power.

Ms. Everson’s speech stirred my curiosity to examine more of God’s questions in the Bible. Since God is omniscient, we know He wasn’t asking because He needed information. Why would GOD ask questions? It seems to me that God asked His questions for OUR benefit. We need to answer. We need to understand not just what is on the surface of the words He spoke but what is hidden in the layers underneath. God’s questions also reveal so much about Who He is, what His desires are, what His purposes for us are. God wants to direct us, teach us, have a relationship with us, watch us grow. Throughout the Bible, there are many times when He doesn’t stop and preach to us. Instead, He asks questions in order for us to dig out the answers for ourselves — knowing that that effort will ultimately yield better results.

So, for me, the tables are turned. I’m “in the hot seat,” so to speak. It’s time for ME to answer. This week I’ve been thinking about God’s question to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:9 and how that applies to me at this point in my life. Connie (insert your own name), where are you?

I’ll share a few of my answers with you, but I strongly urge you to answer the question for yourself in these three categories:

Where am I physically?

Where am I emotionally?

Where am I spiritually?

Physically, I’m on Barkley Bridge Road in Hartselle, Alabama. After moving a number of times from 2002 until now, I am glad to be settled into the place I hope to be — “from here to Peck’s.” After going through a big health scare in early March, I am grateful to be in very good health. I could always improve physically by exercising more and making healthier food choices — both are constant challenges for me.

Emotionally, I love my husband, children and grandchildren and get tremendous emotional fulfillment from all of them. There are always issues regarding them in my prayers, but generally they are doing well, and they bring me great joy.

I’m feeling my age as it pertains to my place in the Grand Scheme of Things. I’ve had my 50-year class reunion. I’ll be 70 on my next birthday. Steve and I will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary in less than 2 years. We’re card-carrying Baby Boomers with Social Security and Medicare cards. We’re at “that” stage of life where we would logically be the next to die. Sometimes that weighs rather heavily.

It makes me sad to see many of my peers dying or in very bad health. I know that God knows the number of my days, and I guess I’m glad I don’t. But I do hope to have more good years — as long as they really are GOOD.

Spiritually. Ahh, now here’s the rub. I am a child of God, and I know that I will spend eternity with Him in heaven, but what about in the meantime? Steve and I are LOVING the new Life Group we are leading in church, and I am glad to have this blog as a vehicle for sharing spiritual insights God gives me. But, this is an area of my life where I always feel I can improve. More time in prayer. More time studying the Bible. More time serving others. I want to know Him deeply and to be in a strong relationship with Him.

“WHERE ARE YOU?” God asked Adam and Eve, and I believe He continues to ask us in order for us to stop and take stock of our lives.