The first question, and also the shortest question, God ask in the Torah has just one word. “Ayeka?” In English, this means “Where are you?” For an all-knowing God, this seems a silly question, but the query has little to do with physical location. And it’s a question not asked to locate someone physically but asked about some one’s emotional or spiritual location. It’s a question for use to ask ourselves to discern where we are from a human potential or personal growth perspective. The question requires that we look closely at ourselves and figure out where we are now and where we want to be.
God asks this question in Genesis 3:9, just after Adam and Eve had eaten fruit from the forbidden tree and, sensing God’s presence in the Garden of Eden, had hidden among the trees. While they were hiding, God asked Adam, “Where are you?” Again, the question does not relate to Adam’s physical location; it relates to his spiritual state. God can see him hiding; God wants to know how Adam is feeling and how eating the fruit has changed him — changed who he is, how he feels, what he thinks, where he “is” on his spiritual path.
Today, as I was thinking about this question, asking myself, “Ayeka?”, I realized how easy it is for us to hide in our day-to-day lives. We get lost in living. In other words, we lose our true selves. Just as eating the forbidden fruit changed Adam and Eve, becoming so involved in the “shoulds” of our life and the hustle and bustle and meeting requirements and living up to expectations, we get lost. We lose ourselves. We let our lives cover us up so we — the “real” self — can no longer be seen. And so we have to ask ourselves, “Ayeka? Where are you?” Where are our true selves…our full selves?
Today when I asked myself this question, I replied, “Heneini,” a Hebrew word which means, “I am here.” In other words, “I am right here. See me! I’m ready to come out of hiding.” It also means I’m here in this moment. And I am right here at this point in time, and I am ready to do your will, ready to fulfill my soul’s purpose, ready to be myself to the fullest extent.
Hopefully, when I do that, God will say, “Yodea! I see you.” For indeed, that is what I want. That is what we all want…to be seen for who we truly are in the fullest sense.
That is beautiful, Nina. It looks like the goal of life is Heneini. Like true Heneini glorifies God all by itself. Imagine if an artist’s masterpiece had a mind of its own and only reflected the love and genius of its creator once, twice, or even never over the ccourse of its existence. To hear a father say “Yodea” would be the utmost satisfying.
Lovely comment. Thanks so much for reading, appreciating and leaving your lovely words.
I was at a seminar recently and we were constantly asked to say, “I’m here!” It was a way of making us present. Heneini.
“Heneini!” Revealing oneself, tearing down the walls of pretence and allowing self to be completely vulnerable to God, that He may do the work in us that we cannot do for ourselves. Total surrender!
That’s what we need, if we are to return, by God’s grace and mercy, to that state of “true self.” And to hear Him say in our souls,”Yodea!” What a beautiful thought to share!
This is profoundly inspiring, Nina! God bless you.
So glad you feel that way, Gene. Thanks so much for your comment. It made my day.
This is a very well-written and encouraging blog. Thank you.
Merci beaucoup Nina, et que Dieu vous comble de ses grâces au nom de Jésus Christ. “Heneini” et “Yodea” sont pour moi nouveaux et importants pour ma vie spirituelle, surtout dans sa croissance.
I just did a Google search for this word, Ayekah? Your blog is beautiful and answered my question. Thank you.
May God continue to give you the strength to write, inspire, teach and lead us all.
Thank you so much! Your comment made my day.
Tris is beautiful. I am spired. Keep it up
Nephews were playing hide and seek yesterday afternoon. Made me think about Biblical parables, how the owner celebrated when what was lost is found. Your article adds so much to my thinking, to my heart and love for God who begins seeking us from the beginning of the fall. Eager to share what the Holy Spirit’s revealing to the children’s Sunday School class—May the Lord bless you and readers through your inspired writing!
Thanks so much for your sweet comment. I’m glad my post added something to your day and life.