come as you are

"And after Adam and Eve had sinned, 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.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked?" // Genesis 3:9-11 

Isn't it amazing that even after thousands of years, our response to sin and God's response to sin seems to remain the same? Just like Adam, when we sin, we feel ashamed, dirty and unworthy; so we run, we hide. 

Immediately after he sinned, God called for Adam. When God called out to Adam, He wasn't trying to find him. God knew well where Adam was hiding; He's God. But in that moment, God's heart was purely longing for Adam to come running back to Him, the one who loved Him. When I read the words, "Where are you?", I can just hear God crying out these words from a shattered heart: Son, "Where. Are. You..." 

Then God goes further to say, "Who told you that you were naked?". Again, God knew the answer. 

But I believe this was His was of saying to Adam, "Why are you ashamed? Why are you hiding from me? Who told you that you were unworthy? Who told you that nakedness was something to be embarrassed of? It wasn't me. I want you as you are- dirty, broken, naked and lost. I am your CREATOR and I love you immensely. Run to me. Do not be ashamed." 

 [Remember that before the fall of man, before sin had made its way into the world, being naked wasn't shameful. It was a normal thing. Sin changed that]

Just in these three short verses, God paints this vivid picture that demonstrates His perfect, all-consuming, unconditional love for us. His heart hurts when you're hurting. All He wants is an intimate relationship with you- for you to understand the depths of His love and affection for you. 

I find it incredibly humbling to serve a God, to be fully-known by a God who meets me in the midst of my messy, sin-filled life and still says, "I love you. I want you." I am constantly reminded of just how sinful I am, how deeply I need Jesus and how much my God adores me. 

I hope that as you find yourself caught in the middle of sin and shame- feeling undeserving of grace, forgiveness and love, that you would remember just how loved you truly are and what has been done for you on the cross; that you would know that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus. That you would hear God's voice saying, "where are you?" and that you would respond to Him by running straight into His open arms, just as you are.

"Sin isn't breaking rules. It's violating love- it's breaking relationship. God says, if you love me, you won't break my heart. If you love me, you will cherish and treasure me and our relationship. if you love me, in all your freedom and choices, you will make choices to protect our love- how you use your freedom shows if you love me, more than if you obey a set of rules. I want your heart." // Danny Leesilk

"Come as You are" // Crowder