The Atmosphere of Eden

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:8 (HCSB)

I began hearing about the Garden of Eden in my childhood—at school, at church on Sundays, and at summer camps. All I understood of it was that Eden was the name of a garden where God had placed man to cultivate it, and where He could meet with him to discuss the affairs of the earth. What struck me most was the fact that it was always said that God had driven Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden after they had sinned. Consequently, I spent my entire life dreaming of visiting that garden one day, for I constantly told myself that a place where God Himself had walked could not, under any circumstances, resemble any other place on earth.

Yet, it took me some time to realize that Eden was, in reality, far more than a mere garden; it was an environment that bridged the gap between heaven and earth—a holy place where God could commune with man without His divine nature being corrupted, and within which lay a specific Garden that God had established to entrust man with the responsibility of stewarding what He had created for him. Because of his sin—the result of his disobedience—man could no longer partake in God's holiness nor see Him face to face. It was not merely from the garden that God had driven him out, but from His very presence.

If Adam, through his disobedience, caused us to lose the privilege of God's presence, Jesus Christ, through His death, restored that relationship, enabling us not only to enter into God's presence but also to partake in His holiness. For through His death, God has declared us holy. This is where it gets interesting: you do not need to travel to that environment called Eden to meet God and partake in His holiness; you can enter His presence and speak to Him with an open heart, no matter where you are. The disposition of your heart and your humility will create the atmosphere of Eden, enabling you to meet your God and enter into communion with Him. Therefore, create your Eden exactly where you are.

May God's grace and peace be with you.