Adam, Eve, Where are you?

In the metaphorical story of Adam and Eve, we read that they found themselves hiding among the trees in the Garden of Eden, and their Creator asked them a question of just one word: “Ayekah?" Which is to say, "where are you?”

More than a physical awareness, it was a spiritual perception that is being relayed in this story.  Where are you? How did you get into this situation? What happened to you? And it also implies, "And what changes do you need to make going forward?"

Change requires real courage. It takes great courage to honestly look at the compass of our lives, and see that it is pointing to a different direction that is now needed to transform one’s life. And even if you have that much honesty with yourself, you then need an open heart and mind to take the necessary steps to change.

The story tells us that, in answer to the question "Ayekah?",  Adam and Eve were afraid. They felt ashamed. They hid.

"Ayekah?" is the question we are obligated to ask ourselves.... now, more than ever before.

Unlike Adam and Eve, instead of falling into fear, shame or seeking a place to hide, we must seek the truth and recognize where we ourselves need to change to bring about hope and healing. We can challenge ourselves to climb higher, to take a step out of hiding and fear, and to find the courage to become unstuck and move forward, or we can remain afraid and hidden, cowering and stuck.

Confronting ourselves is difficult. Confronting another is more challenging yet. Do we spare the risk of hurt feelings and thereby lose what could be the very thing we must do? Do we stay stuck, remain hidden in fear? Or do we choose to take the risk, to find the courage to confront both ourselves, and sometimes another, with the truth?

Each moment asks of us, "Ayekah?" Each moment asks us to take a breath, contemplate where we would like to change, what we must do, and to chart that course, today.

"Ayekah?" Where are you? How did you get into this situation? What happened to you? And what changes do you need to make going forward?

That is the question from which we must not hide and take cover. Let us take this day to be bold, to ask, to see clearly, and then to move forward on that wisdom with great courage.

Interestingly enough, the counter word to Ayekah is one of my favorite Hebrew words, Hineni. Hineni claims, "Here I am!" with an open and courageous heart, ready to do what must be done. It is not a simple, "Here", like we might say at roll call. It has a much deeper, more significant spiritual meaning, just like Ayekah.

The deeper expression "Hineni" (pronounced hee-nay-nee) conveys, "Here I am: I am completely all here, all in, ready, willing and able." In contrast to the simple "po,", the "here" we would use to answer roll call, "Hineni--Here I am" is a powerful and layered statement, more akin to,  "Here I stand."

Here I stand. It's not a meek thought; it's a bottom line. "Here I stand. Here I will make my stand. I know what will most likely happen, but it does not matter, because this is where I make my stand. Hineni."

Today asks of us "Ayekah?" and our answer to that Ayekah will speak to our integrity. Will we answer with a simple, "po", here, but only in a superficial roll count kind of why, or will we bring our whole being to the question and answer with a firm, HINENI! Is it time to cower and hide like Adam and Eve, or is it time to be courageous and make a stand?

When this day asks of you, "Ayekah?", I pray that you may have the courage and integrity to reply with a full on, firm, whole being, "Hineni!"