Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 2

 

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:8-10 ESV).  

 

Go back with me to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the attached picture today. It was a cool April afternoon some years ago as I walked along an easy trail leading to the John Oliver Cabin. The dogwoods and wildflowers were blooming while I took my time enjoying the beauty surrounding me. I particularly noticed the wild daisies that seemed to blanket the fields beside the path. Sadly, some of the flowers’ stems had broken, perhaps as a result of others who strayed from the trail for pictures. Seeing the drooping flowers, I was reminded of our reading today and the first walking scene of the Scripture.

 

Adam and Eve must have enjoyed walking with God “in the cool of the day” in their garden home. But in today’s story, they were deeply anxious. Earlier in the day, they had disobeyed God, doing the one thing God had told them not to do. God had created Adam and Eve to live in fellowship with himself, with each other, and in harmony with the earth and its creatures. In their disobedience, however, they tried to hide from God, and, as the story continues, we see their alienation from each other and from the rest of God’s good creation.

 

When he comes to walk with them, God finds Adam and Eve cowering in shame. God explains the consequences of their sin. But in his judgment on the serpent, we glimpse God’s promise to redeem fallen humanity back to fellowship with himself, with each other, and with his world. This was accomplished in the sacrifice of Jesus accomplishing our atonement.

 

I wonder if you are living with needless shame and guilt. Take a walk with me and remember that no matter how broken you feel, Jesus’ death and resurrection saves you from that in order to reunite you with your heavenly Father that you may be in His presence continuously. Come enjoy Him with me!