Strip Search

This is a paraphrased version of a very familiar conversation (Genesis 3:9-13)

God:  Adam, where are you?
Adam:  I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.
God:  Who told you that you were naked? Did you do the thing I told you not to do?
Adam:  It was that woman you gave me. She made me do it.
God:  Woman, what have you done?
Eve:  The devil made me do it.

Strip Search: To inspect every crevice and cavity of one who has been deemed a suspect involved in criminal activity or wrongdoing.  When was the last time you gave yourself a strip search? 

I have heard this point a million times...when God asked Adam that first question it was not because He didn't know where Adam was.  God was giving Adam the opportunity to police himself, but instead Adam decided to conduct a game of "pass the buck".

It's just like us:

- We start healthy regimens and stop because "It's too expensive to eat healthy".
- We decide to go back to school and stop because "I'm too old to sit in a classroom".
- We start businesses and stop because "I don't have the support that I need".
- We fail in marriages because "No one ever taught me how to be a good husband/wife".
- We fail at parenting because "My parents weren't there for me".
- We are slack in our faith because we view waiting as "unanswered prayer"...the list could go on forever.

My friends, I ask you...where are you and who or what do you blame for it?  If we don't HONESTLY consider and face where we are (spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc.), then we will never allow ourselves the opportunity of landing in the place where we need to be. 

Try this:  Step (1) Start every morning with a resounding "Thank You Lord for another opportunity!"; Step (2) End every night asking yourself this question, "Am I satisfied with the way I handled this day? Step (3) Before you close your eyes to sleep, pray this, "Lord, help me to be better tomorrow!  Then Repeat Steps 1, 2 and 3 over and over again for the rest of your life.

Like Adam, when we are wrong or guilty, we know it.  What sense does it make trying to lie to the ONE person who knows where you are hiding all of your stuff.  After all, you first have to get naked in order to get washed up.