Genesis 3:8–10
“And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God… And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?”
After Adam disobeyed God, something changed immediately. When he heard the voice of God in the garden, he hid. When God asked where he was, Adam answered, “I was afraid… and I hid myself.”
Sin had produced shame, fear and hiding.
Men, we still build hiding places.
Sometimes we hide because of something we have done. Sometimes because of something that has been done to us. We hide disappointment, addiction, insecurity, grief, anger, failure and experiences we are ashamed to discuss. The wall becomes a way of protecting ourselves from being exposed or hurt again.
For a man in prison, those walls can become even thicker. Prison culture may teach you not to show vulnerability. Trust can become dangerous. Survival can require toughness. Eventually, the wall that protects you from other people can also prevent anyone from reaching the real you.
But men outside prison build walls too.
We learn how to say, “I’m fine.” We go to work. We provide. We laugh with friends. We attend church. Yet behind the wall there may be a man carrying something nobody knows about.
Notice God’s question to Adam: “Where art thou?”
God wasn’t asking because He had lost Adam. He was calling Adam out of hiding.
God already knew what had happened, yet He still came looking for him.
Men, God knows what is behind your wall. He knows the mistake, the wound, the fear and the thing you hope nobody discovers. And still He calls you.
Coming out of hiding does not mean telling everybody everything. Wisdom matters, and trust should be earned. But healing requires honesty—first with God and, where appropriate, with trustworthy people who can help us walk towards restoration.
You cannot heal what you continually refuse to bring into the light.
The wall may have protected you for a season, but don’t allow your hiding place to become your permanent home. God is still asking, “Where are you?”
God bless you, Men of God. Continue in your roar.