Finding Our Way Back to the Garden

Many argue that our life’s purpose is deeply intertwined with our professions and societal roles. Consider doctors, for example. They are often seen as the lifelines of society, dedicating their lives to healing the sick and offering hope and health to those in need. Police officers, too, play a crucial role as guardians of law and order, ensuring the safety and security of citizens. Then there are farmers, the backbone of our nation, who tirelessly work to feed the population by cultivating the land, growing crops, and raising livestock. These roles are undeniably vital, keeping the fabric of our society intact. But do such essential jobs fully encompass the purpose of our lives?

What about those with more ordinary jobs? Do they not fulfill a purpose in our lives? While our professions significantly contribute to society and provide us with direction, they do not solely define our purpose. There exists a far greater purpose for our existence, one that transcends our earthly roles and connects us to a higher calling. This purpose, often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of daily life, is the one God envisioned for us when He created us. It is this ultimate purpose that should guide our actions, shape our decisions, and give meaning to our existence.

Men at Work

Why does mankind rise each morning in search of work? Why do each of us seek employment? At its core, the answer lies in sustenance – to provide for ourselves and our families, ensuring that our basic needs are met. Employment allows us to take care of our wants and desires, offering a means to achieve financial stability and security. We work to live a good life while we are on this earth, to enjoy comforts, experiences, and opportunities that enhance our well-being.

However, this necessity was not always the reality. In the idyllic setting of the Garden of Eden, mankind’s needs were effortlessly met without the toil of labour. Yet, with the Fall of Man, described in Genesis 3, humanity was expelled from this paradise, and condemned to find work for their sustenance.

Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil, you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground. – Genesis 3:17-19 (NIV)

This shift from effortless provision to laborious work marked a significant change in human existence. The daily grind and the search for employment became intrinsic to our lives, a constant reminder of our separation from the ease of Eden. Driven by our sins, we were compelled to find ways to sustain ourselves in a world where survival demanded effort. However, amidst this relentless pursuit, we often lose sight of our true purpose.

The Directions

As we navigate through life outside the Garden, the question of our purpose often looms over us yet, for many, the answer remains elusive, overshadowed by the demands and distractions of everyday existence. Amidst this uncertainty, diverse perspectives emerge, each offering a unique interpretation of purpose.

Some advocate for seizing the moment, embracing every opportunity with the philosophy of “You Only Live Once,” prioritizing experiences and adventures as the essence of life’s purpose. Others find their purpose intertwined with their professional aspirations, dedicating themselves to their careers from a young age, driven by ambition and clarity of goals. And then there are those who prioritize following their passions, believing that true fulfilment stems from aligning one’s life choices with their deepest desires.

As we ponder the purpose of life, we encounter a myriad of perspectives from the world around us. Yet, delving into the wisdom of the Bible authors sheds light on our existence. The author of Genesis (1:27) reminds us of our creation in God’s image, highlighting our inherent connection to God. Yet, this harmony was disrupted by sin, prompting a need for restoration. Paul’s letters to the Ephesians (2:10) echo this sentiment, emphasizing our role as God’s handiwork, crafted to engage in good works predetermined by Him. But is this the entirety of our purpose?

The teacher in Ecclesiastes (12:13) offers another perspective, urging us to fear God and keep His commandments, recognizing it as humanity’s fundamental duty. Certainly, God had envisioned a purpose far greater than mere obedience to His commandments when He created us. Micah (6:8) adds depth to the conversation, emphasizing the importance of acting justly and loving mercy. Yet, is this the pinnacle of our purpose?

Matthew (28:19-20), recording Christ’s Great Commission, introduces another dimension, calling upon believers to spread the message of faith and discipleship to all nations. While this directive is crucial for our engagement with the world, what about the purpose of our lives. In a situation akin to a sinking ship like the Titanic, the primary concern is reaching land and ensuring one’s own survival. Along the way, one may encounter others in distress and extend a helping hand, but the paramount goal remains self-preservation.

Regrettably, a similar urgency is often lacking when it comes to rediscovering our path back to the Garden. We may find satisfaction in assisting others in their quest to find the way, even though we ourselves have lost sight of the directions to the Garden. Our ultimate purpose, therefore, is not merely to exist but to actively seek a return to the Garden – back to the presence of God.

The Freeway

There’s an unparalleled sense of freedom when you’re driving on the open road and merge onto a freeway. The smooth, uninterrupted flow of traffic allows you to relax and enjoy the journey. However, once you enter a city, you have to adjust to the frequent stops and starts of the bumper-to-bumper traffic. This transition can be jarring, making you long to return to the freeway where you can drive without constant interruptions.

Imagine one person who, due to being late for a flight, is given an empty first-class seat. He enjoys the experience so much that from then on, he intentionally arrives late for flights, hoping for a first-class upgrade. On the other hand, if someone were upgraded to first class despite arriving early, they might start showing up to the airport hours in advance, hoping for another upgrade. This illustrates how individuals who have tasted extraordinary luxury and comfort will go to great lengths to return to that privileged position.

Now, if mankind has been expelled from the Garden, the pinnacle of luxury and comfort—the presence of God—it’s logical that we would do everything in our power to return to that idyllic state. Our jobs, life decisions, everything would be centred around finding a way back to the Garden, back to His Presence. Every moment of our waking lives would be consumed by the obsession to rediscover that unbreakable connection with God.

Ever since mankind was expelled from the Garden, our focus has shifted away from returning to that paradise. Instead, we have immersed ourselves in building lives outside its confines, much like Adam and Eve, who were content to remain outside of Eden. Similarly, our efforts are not aimed at finding a way back to the Garden, but rather at securing our existence with the people around us.

We prioritize worldly success, whether it’s securing a good job, striving for promotions, or continuously switching jobs in pursuit of a higher salary. Our aim is to find acceptance and respect within our communities, seeking praise and admiration from those around us. Similarly, within our religious communities, we strive for recognition and approval, eagerly accepting praise and special prayers from pastors, and being sought after for our perceived righteousness.

In essence, our endeavours are geared towards making our lives on Earth as comfortable and secure as possible. We invest time and effort in staying updated with the latest trends, maintaining amicable relations to avoid conflict, and projecting an image of righteousness to earn the esteem of others. All these efforts are aimed at solidifying our existence outside the Garden, making our lives on Earth as fulfilling and permanent as possible.

The Bridge

Understanding our purpose allows us to make informed choices that align with our ultimate goal of drawing closer to the Father rather than straying further from Him. However, left to our own devices, we would have been unable to rediscover the path back to the Garden. Recognizing our incapacity to find our way back on our own, God foresaw the need for guidance. Thus, He sent numerous men and women throughout history to guide us back to Him, yet all of them fell short in their efforts.

In His ultimate act of love and redemption, God sent His own Son to repair the Bridge back to the Garden. Through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, the pathway to reconciliation with God was restored, offering mankind the opportunity to return to His presence. Yet, rather than seizing this chance to reunite with God in the Garden, many individuals strayed from the intended path and exploited the Bridge that God had provided for us.

People used Jesus as a means to establish religions outside the Garden, effectively creating barriers rather than bridges to lead people to God. Some even began charging toll fees, demanding payment for accessing the Bridge. Furthermore, they devised new sets of rules and regulations, labelling them as sacraments, which dictated how to live life outside the Garden. These rituals, such as baptisms, communion, vows, and fasting, were intended to promote righteousness, yet they ultimately failed to lead individuals closer to the Garden. Instead, they became mere rituals devoid of their original purpose.

The Detour

Embarking on our journey back to the Garden, we often find ourselves compelled to take detours along the way. We start with God’s original purpose for our existence, which is to live in perfect harmony with Him. However, the irresistible allure of worldly desires frequently beckons us off course, leading us astray from this divine path. At every stage of life, there seems to be an insatiable desire pulling us further from finding our way back to the Garden.

In our school years, we are engulfed in the quest for academic achievement, leaving little room for God amid our studies. Despite our packed schedules, we consistently prioritize social gatherings like our friends’ birthday celebrations, never missing a single event. As we transition into youth, the focus shifts to equipping ourselves with the skills necessary to succeed in a competitive world. Again, time for God is scarce amidst the hustle and bustle of college life. Yet, we find ample opportunity to engage in the most enjoyable aspects of our youth, from outstation trips to movie nights and all-nighters with friends.

In adulthood, the chase for better job opportunities often consumes our time and energy, leaving little room for spiritual pursuits. However, we find ample time for recreational activities such as retreats, office parties, and weekend getaways with friends and family. Once we settle into life’s routines, the desire to find our way back to the Garden often resurfaces. However, by this point, we find ourselves burdened with familial responsibilities, leaving us with little time to spare. In each stage of life, our attention is diverted from our ultimate purpose, the return to the Garden, by the seemingly endless distractions of the world.

The Destination

People often wonder why their prayers seemingly go unanswered by God. Yet, when their desires are fulfilled—whether it be finding a job or a life partner—they swiftly immerse themselves in worldly pursuits, distancing themselves from the divine. Does God bless us even if it means leading us astray, consumed by our own busyness and neglectful of returning to Him? Apparently yes, for this pattern has persisted since the dawn of humanity.

Much like how a television in a room dictates the orientation of furniture, our longing to return to the LORD’s Garden should guide our key decisions in our life, with everything else falling into place thereafter. Our sole purpose is to commune with God, and every aspect of our lives should reflect this fundamental purpose. It’s disheartening that we don’t constantly contemplate our journey back to the Garden, given what we know of God’s grace. Let us not waste any more time and fix our gaze on our ultimate destination. Let us utilize the bridge provided by God to find our way back to Him. Instead of toiling to sustain our worldly existence, let us labour to return to the Garden—to the presence of God.

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD – Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)