Seeing a new extraordinary place for the first time is a wonderful experience. If it requires a bit of struggle to get there, it is almost always worth it. And if you have to struggle with someone that you love most, the experience will take your breath away. That’s why Ann and I work so hard to get out and endure a little misery just to find ourselves in a larger story.
Question: What are we really after?
Answer: We are always looking for Eden.
Some of my favorite moments have been with Ann when we discover a new beautiful place. I love it when we head out into the unknown. I prefer having very little beta and exploring on our own. We had a number of these moments happen to us in China last spring. When we left we had literally no itinerary; our plan was to make it up as we went. And I am so glad that we did just that. From Shanghai, we traveled by plane, train, bus, boat, and taxi all over southern China. We had a marvelous time exploring the country side on rented bikes and motor scooters, finding extraordinary secluded places. We had a ball and the joys deepened our love. Click here to read about our day of adventure on a tandem bike.
Finding these places always makes me think, “Did God put this in the human heart when he created us?” This yearning for discovery doesn’t come from us, but rather from Him! He had put Adam and Eve in a garden surrounded by an entirely unexplored world. Can you imagine? No one had climbed a mountain yet, no one had chartered an ocean, written a symphony, or created a single work of art. Oh, how wonderful that would have been. The plan was for Adam and Eve to have an eternity of adventure and discovery. And this was all God’s idea. He handed them the world like a wedding present. Can you imagine a better gift? I mean, this tops being handed the keys to a Ferrari. Really, think about it. Imagine being given a soul mate and a perfect world that has never been explored at the same time. I honestly can’t imagine a more wonderful fantasy. It’s what we all are longing for because it was the world that our hearts were made for.
Ever since Adam and Eve doubted God’s goodness and handed over the world to His enemy, the human race has been trying to recapture it. Even the smallest glimpse of Eden fills us and draws us back. A sip of Eden here and there is all we get. Life is hard and no matter who you are or how much you have finding Eden is not easy.
Here’s the good news. God has promised to restore the Creation. Yep! That’s the plan. Did you know the Bible never actually says that we “go to heaven?” Instead, it states that God will make a new Heaven and a new Earth. It isn’t clear exactly what it will look like, but it certainly won’t be a weird one where people fly around on clouds or wear robes all day. I believe that He is going to restore Eden. Yes, that Eden. This is what I am longing for! My friends, you can’t even fathom the adventures to come. The new world is going to be rich with wonder and discovery. I can’t wait. It’s important to remind myself that even though Ann and I need glimpses of Eden to keep our bearings and our hope alive, the love story that our hearts were really made for is still to come.
Thank you, Jesus, for Your sacrifice and Your plan.
