And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"

Genesis 3:8-9

When we hide from God, turn from God, run from God, how does he respond?

Does he turn back from us? Fold his arms in disgust? Scowl at us?

No! Our God seeks us. He pursues us. He chases us.

Because we matter to him.

God's question to Adam, "Where are you?" is not a request for information. God doesn't need to ask, but Adam needs to be asked. The Lord is drawing Adam out of hiding, ever so gently. He doesn't force Adam out of hiding. He doesn't force us to love him. But he woos us, pursues us, draws us.

This is the heart of God for us. No matter what we have done, no matter how confused we might be, no matter how we have rejected God, God pursues us. He wants us. He offers us grace. That's the whole reason Jesus came.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

(Luke 19:10)