“What Are You Doing Here?”

By Joni Eareckson TadaHave you ever put yourself in a situation where a nonbeliever turns to you and asks, “What are you doing here?” Maybe you showed up somewhere you knew you shouldn’t be—and someone recognized you and seemed surprised. The very question is a rebuke.

In the book of Obadiah, God confronted the descendants of Esau for standing by and watching Israel’s destruction—and even cheering on the invaders. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing. It’s as though God were saying, “Do you really want to be one of them?”

When we claim to belong to Christ and yet sin willfully—even publicly—our sin is especially grievous. It’s a double offense because we have been much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, and much blessed. Don’t put yourself in a situation where the Holy Spirit has to ask, “What are you doing here?”

Lord, sometimes I’ve wished I could be anonymous and just go where I wanted to go and do what I wanted to do. But even if that were possible, I know you would be there with me. And your Spirit would whisper, “What are we doing here?” I’m glad for that, Lord, because I really do desire to please you.