How are you, today?

No, really.
How are you?

If you are like me, you’ll probably repeat that phrase (notice I didn’t say ask that question) several times today, and probably tomorrow, too.

It rolls off of our tongues as quickly as our standard robotic response…
“I’m good” or it’s equally familiar, “I’m fine”,
which is almost always followed up with…wait for it…”how are YOU?”…
and on…and on…and on.

But have you really stopped to ask yourself this most important self-diagnostic…
“How am I?”
“Truly?”

The problem with this question is not that it isn’t relevant.
The problem is that it is highly subjective.

“How we are” is determined by any number of factors including our circumstances, our mental and emotional state, what we ate, and how much sleep we’ve been getting.

It’s based on a feeling of wholeness set against a spectrum that no one has clearly defined.

How you are may be good (or at least preferable) compared to your friend that fell off of a ladder, but you may be bad compared to your friend that just got a promotion or won the lottery.

Interestingly, God never asked that question of the 2 people He first walked with in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve.

Each day they walked and talked together as if they were close friends or neighbors. We don’t really know what they talked about, but we do know what happened when they ate of the tree they weren’t supposed to eat from.

When God came to talk to them, He didn’t ask “how are you”, instead, He asked a more important question…
“Where are you?”

8 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. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8–9 (ESV)

“Where are you?”

For the follower of Jesus, this is THE question that will always answer “How am I, truly?” because our well being is determined by where we are with Christ.

Clearly we are not scheduling happy hour in the back yard while throwing some steaks on the grill. However, where are we in our time with Him in scripture every day?

Are you experiencing him in regular time in the Bible where you read, digest, reflect, and mold yourself to be in alignment with His Word?

How about time in prayer? Are you able to become all things to all people so some will come to know Christ and live without worry because you are walking with Him in prayer and know that you are not alone?

Do you see the world through the lens of victory through Christ or through the lens of trying to make your way through this life with as little pain and as much pleasure as possible?

So, let me ask you.
“Where are you, today?”

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

Mark Love
Lead Pastor