Eden's BlueprintSample

Day 3

The first problem in Eden was not Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad; it was loneliness. In Genesis 2:18, it says, “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (NLT). And then in Genesis 2:20, it says, “So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam, no suitable helper was found" (NLT).

There is an extraordinary truth held in these lines of scripture. Adam, who had authority over creation and could walk in the cool of the evening with God, still lacked something. How often have you heard a Christian state, “All I need is God.” Not even Adam could live fully in this paradigm; he needed people in his life. He needed connection and relationship.

This passage is often used in weddings, and it beautifully highlights the idea of oneness in the covenant of marriage. But I have wondered whether these verses show us something more of the design within our human condition. We were designed for friendship, and that friendship is marked by the oneness our love creates.

Think of your closest friend and let words flow from you of how you would describe that friendship. Do words like “faithfulness,” “loyalty,” “safe,” “loving,” or “fun” flow naturally from you? These are words of your design. They are the way we are created to live, behave, and fulfill our design.

Adam’s loneliness was something that he not only felt, but God also saw and felt it. Adam could not hide the ache in his heart from his designer and friend. And God, as his designer and friend, chose to do something about it; He created Eve. Every other animal in creation had a partner, but Adam did not. With only one human created, Adam quickly discovered that no other part of creation could fill the loneliness he felt.

Eve was created from him and for him. As God breathed life into Adam, so He breathed life into Eve. This “life” was not just existence; this was life eternal. He breathed Himself into His creation and has forever been the essential bond that holds us and all we see, and can’t see, together. He created them by love, to be loved, and to love others. Adam’s loneliness was healed through the connection and love of another.

If you are not married or don’t have a significant other, please don’t pass over these verses because you think they are only for marriage. They hold within them the wonder and beauty of the way we do friendships, community, and self-care.

Think of John 15:15, “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me” (NLT). In this verse, Jesus creates a fundamental shift in His relationship with the disciples. He no longer calls them “slaves” or “servants.” He calls them “friends.” Jesus needed friends in His life, too. I am certain the disciples already felt this, but it must have been incredible to hear Him say these words.

Application:

As per day 2, imagine yourself back in that life-giving memory, and invite Jesus to say the words to you, “I no longer call you a servant. I call you a friend.” Take the time to journal the thoughts and feelings that come to mind. If thoughts come up that you are not worthy, remind yourself that the disciples were people just like you and me. They had made mistakes and poor choices. They had done things that would have made themselves feel unworthy. Jesus, through His life, love, and death, has done everything to make you worthy. Remember, you were created in His image. You were created worthy.

Read John 15 and find one verse that speaks to you louder than the rest.

Now, with each verse that you have gathered from the three days, write them down in consecutive order, and let’s see what God might be speaking to you.

Here are my three verses:

“Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.” “The man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.” “Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” (NLT)

From this, I can hear God saying to me that there is no shame when I remain in His light. He loves me and does not see any shame. This is the way He has invited me to love Him.

What could God be saying to you through your verses?

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