Our Path Between Two Gardens
Imagine an utterly perfect garden, with every variety of tree, each full of its own blossoms, fruits, nuts… and some with branches broad enough to walk along. A quiet place where deer, sheep, perhaps elk, or even bears frolic carelessly around you. Imagine a table, handmade by Jesus, in the middle of that garden, where you, your loved ones, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son have lively conversations while sharing the simplest and the most decadent of meals. Imagine strolling through that garden in deep conversation with the Holy Spirit, sack racing between the trees with Jesus, and listening to the Father telling you bedtime stories while tucking you in each night. Imagine the booming belly laugh of the Father, the scent of his beard, and the undeniable love for you in his eyes. Imagine a place where you never doubt your worth. There is unlimited freedom, presence, joy, praise, grace, encouragement, love, peace, fun, and life. Imagine being unfamiliar with shame or guilt or regret or pain or grief or manipulation or falsehoods or burdens.
According to the Bible, that’s where human history started. But that first couple was given a choice – to trust God or to trust themselves. They chose what each of us has chosen – to trust ourselves. God gave them what he has given everyone since – autonomy. An angel led them out of that beautiful garden and locked the gate behind them. And sin was crouching right outside, ready to claim, to own, to dominate the exiled. Fear, alienation, disease, sorrow, bondage, darkness, and death awaited. I suspect their knees buckled and their stomachs rolled as the gate slammed shut behind them. I’m sure the arguments, blame, mistrust, anger, frustration, and sorrow rolled in like high tide on a full moon. Soon they would bury a son. One would bury the other. Then each following generation would simply turn the page of the same old story.
The effects of their exile have been experienced by each of us. The bondage is real, and the mark left by even the slightest of sins leaves us completely unable to reenter the garden.
We are disenchanted in this life because it is not the life we were made for. We were created to live in the garden, to dine at the table, and to see God’s love for us in his own eyes. No matter how good this life may seem, we long for more because nothing compares to life in the garden.
Yet, God’s love has not wavered. God never changed his plan. The garden was always meant for us. He grieves our absence. Before that first couple was banished from paradise, they were given a message of grace, a promise, a way we could return to that beautiful garden – the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent who betrayed them, and he would strike his heel (Gen. 3:15). That seed, Jesus, is the way, the only way, back to the garden.
All human history lies between two gardens. The first was a small intimate setting for the first couple and the Trinity. Jesus has been growing, expanding, and perfecting that garden since that first couple left. Now, there are tables for everyone you know. A wedding date has been set. Invitations have been sent. The price of admission, the greatest ever paid for any event, has been paid in full on the cross. For us, life is simply a path between the two gardens.
This time, the choice will be made before entering the garden. We will trust Jesus or trust ourselves. Those who have chosen to trust Jesus will walk the path with gratitude and find the gate open wide. They will return to a life without pain, tears, deceit, sorrow… They will be welcomed by his nail scarred hands and open arms. We will know the joy we were made to experience.
For those who have trusted Jesus, I pray that our gratitude along the path between the gardens will be enough to influence others who are deeply loved by God to reconsider how deep and wide and high his love for them is, and trust Jesus. Their seat at the table is already reserved. Let’s not let it go empty because we kept secret what should have been shared.