On a hot Oklahoma afternoon, Ashley and her younger sister Jessica were going through the house breaking or disturbing their older brother, mother and father’s personal items. Their behavior was a common activity such that it drove family members to their wits’ end. As a last resort, their parents asked the minister of their church to talk with the two girls.
Pastor Kemun sat Jessica down first. He wanted Jessica to think about the consequences of her actions and what God might do about her misbehaving. The pastor began by asking Jessica, “Young lady! Do you know where God is? Huh!” Jessica at first looked into Pastor Kemun’s eyes and said nothing. So the pastor repeated his question again but in a stern tone of voice. She gave him no answer. Frustrated, the pastor shook his finger before Jessica and said firmly: “Jessica! I ask you once again, young lady, where is God?!”
Jessica got up out of the chair he was sitting in, ran from the pastor’s office, went home and hid under her bed. Ashley seeing her sister unusual behavior and fear followed Jessica to their bedroom where she found her hiding under her bed.
“Jessie! What happened? Why are you hiding under the bed?”
Jessica replied: “Ashley, we’re in big, big trouble now. Momma, daddy and Pastor Kemun think we stole God. He’s missing and they think we did it, Ashley!”
Ashley and Jessica’s adventure appeared to be very similar to Adam and Eve’s experience with God. Like Adam and Eve, Ashley and Jessica tried to hide from God for the decision they made. Ashley, Jessica and most people know of the existence and presence of God. However, they would rather do whatever it is they want to do regardless of the consequences. So they deny His existence, give excuses for why they do what they do or hide. These are all acts designed to run from God. Nevertheless, God pursues each of us and asks: “What have you done?” Rather than own up to our misbehaving we conclude the non-existence of God, lie to ourselves about the consequences (There is no hell. God would never send me to hell. God is good and would never punish me for one little sin.), blame others or simply hide hoping He will never notice our sin.
Each person who calls themselves a Christian should ask themselves how they respond to their sin. Do you run and hide hoping He will never notice what we’ve done? Do you trust in what Jesus Christ has taught us about forgiveness and reconciliation? True to His nature God will pursue us no matter how long it takes. Seeking forgiveness is there if a person truly is sorry for what they have done to offend God. A person does not have to do anything else. Pretty simple huh!!!
Read more articles by Stephen A. Peterson or search for articles on the same topic or others.
