When searching for an image to use in this post, I was fascinated to discover how most pictures were related to Adam and Eve’s betrayal and expulsion. Meanwhile, what interests me most is their life before the fall.
I’ve already highlighted a little of how the Bible describes paradise here. But let’s go deeper and relate all this to how broken and corrupt today’s “normal” can be — and what we can do about it.
Before submitting to the enemy’s temptation, Adam and Eve lived — with countless other beings — in a world without violence, predators, and death. Guilt and shame were non-entities as was the concept of being “naked” or vulnerable.
Only after ignoring God’s one request did iniquities like blood lust, deception, and avarice become our default setting.
I don’t know how much time passed in this paradisical Shangri-la before the serpent showed up but I’m curious to know what Adam and Eve talked about when all they had to do was wallow in the brilliance of God’s perfect creation.
Certainly, they did not need to lie, manipulate, feel insecure, or fear being vulnerable — as we do. Adam and Eve had no reason to hold back their emotions, mask their intentions, hide behind egos, or wield passive-aggressive tactics — as we do.
Since none of us have ever lived — for a single millisecond — in anything close to such an environment, are we even capable of imagining how heavenly it would feel?
Try to visualize yourself talking with someone but pride and fear do not influence anything you say or hear. Can you?
In the pre-fall Garden of Eden, I like to believe that Adam and Eve sat around having relaxing, esoteric, profound, and egalitarian conversations about topics that we might not be able to comprehend today.
Adam and Eve were fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image. For a while, they lived up to this reality and it surely must have been transcendent.
We are also fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image but, these days would rather spend our time arguing online about trivialities.
Our collective tolerance and attachment to the blatant distractions, false conflicts, and copious abominations being imposed upon us are obviously not improving anyone’s quality of life.
What then is stopping us from shrugging off the diabolical chains of ego-driven sin and making our way back to the garden?
Spoiler alert: Since we’re endowed with superpowers, all the relevant answers can be found through prayer and by gazing into a mirror.
Addendum: It’s been twelve hours since this post went live and the response has been minimal. I can’t help but wonder: How many times can folks consume the latest hype about the “next pandemic” or looming “communist” takeover before recognizing that if we instead focused on efforts like swallowing our pride and connecting with each other, it would render obsolete all the (alleged) issues that make other Substacks so popular? What will it take for people to start looking in the mirror?
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Mickey,
Thanks for the inspiration. How much nonsense do we allow ourselves to engage with?
What is our focus?
Just thinking of heaven or paradise is a good way to examine how we are spending our time here.
Howdy Mickey: Regarding the limited engagement, you are one of the first people I read, most every day. I couldn't today cos I had to get to the hospital early, for a scheduled hip replacement. Both are done now, so it's just recovery mode. Woohoo!
But I'm home and settled now, so you were still my first substack read for the day. Thanks for reminding me to pray - as often as possible. It's been an immense help.
Take care, friend. :)