Lent: That Story

In the beginning, it was all good. 

 

Daytime and night. Good!

The Earth and the infinite space around her. Good!

The Pacific, the Indian, and the Atlantic. The Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Madagascar, the Americas, Australia, and Asia. Good!

Orange trees, mango trees, watermelons, carrots, tomatoes, roses, jasmine, tulips, and Gerbera daisies. Good!

Sun, moon, stars. Good!

Salmon, blue whales, and clown fish. Bluejays, robins, peacocks, penguins, and bald eagles.

Good!

Tigers, wolves, zebras, geckos, boa constrictors, cows, sheep, chipmunks, and even spiders. Good!

Man and woman. Good!

"...it was so good, so very good!" (The Message)

Then, this:

I love you and I made all this for you! Enjoy it all...except that. Do not touch that.

(Seriously?! You know they can't hold out, right?)

Did He really tell you not to touch that?

Yes!

He didn't mean it, you know. He just doesn't want you to be happy.

(No, don't listen to that!)

Really? Well...it does look amazing. It's beautiful. I bet it's delicious!

A little taste won't hurt. Just do it!

I'm in!

(You're going to regret it.)

Mmm...perfect! Hey, Adam, you gotta try this!

Isn't that the...

Yes. Try it!

But,...

Well, that other guy said...

OK!

(Oh, c'mon!)

I'm irritated. We had a good thing going. Everything we could want and a beautiful place in which to enjoy it all. Just us, God, and all the good things. 

At the same time, I'm convicted. I am all three - the serpent, Eve, and Adam. I am not trusting, second-guessing, disobeying, tempting, making excuses, passing the buck, and wrecking perfectly good amazing gifts.

But, the gifts keep coming in spite of me - the ordinary, the beautiful, and the divine. 

Grace, redemption, and forgiveness.