“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
We all feel the pain of the Eden we forfeited in our sin, and we all long for a new Eden. Just as these feelings remind us of a real garden at the beginning of time, they also point us forward to a new garden for which we were created. Exiles long for a home, and our home is with our Savior and our God. He has promised us there will be a day when all of the former things will have passed away.
This is why we need to feel our exile. For much of American history, many of us have felt at home in our culture and our country. The world has felt relatively safe and stable. It has muffled the painful echoes of Eden and stifled our strivings for that eternal city whose Builder and Maker is God. Only a lost people can become a found people. Only those who know they have lost a garden will be given a new garden from God.
With all due respect to our present sufferings, this is a wonderful time to be a Christ-follower. We were made to work in this world, not get lost in it. We were made to lose ourselves and be found in Christ.
This is why we need to feel our exile. For much of American history, many of us have felt at home in our culture and our country. The world has felt relatively safe and stable. It has muffled the painful echoes of Eden and stifled our strivings for that eternal city whose Builder and Maker is God. Only a lost people can become a found people. Only those who know they have lost a garden will be given a new garden from God.
With all due respect to our present sufferings, this is a wonderful time to be a Christ-follower. We were made to work in this world, not get lost in it. We were made to lose ourselves and be found in Christ.
Scripture Focus
Revelation 21
Insight
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (Jim Elliot, 1927-1956)
Bible In A Year
- 1 Kings 1
- Psalm 149
- 2 Timothy 1-2
