The love, care, and interest God had in His creation as it unfolded is extraordinary. He placed everything in order and it still goes. It still follows the pattern. People love it and yet they don’t want anything to do with the Creator.
When God created the world, evil was already in existence because of Satan’s rebellion. Understanding evil was not part of God’s intent for Adam and Eve in the garden. However, He put in place a tree and a rule. The tree was called, The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The rule: Don’t eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
God knew what was best for Adam and Eve, but He still gave them the freedom to choose for themselves. Not only was God open with man about the existence of evil, but He was also transparent with them on the consequence of disobeying His established rule. Certain death.
I’m getting to a point in life where I’m seeing more threats of death’s reaches in my own extended family. It’s sad and unpleasant. It’s frightening. I don’t want them to go through it, but it’s inevitable. We’re all on our way.
And it makes me wonder how people explain death in the evolutionary process. Why on earth would an organism form itself into a body that begins to decay? Shouldn’t we be evolving to live longer than our predecessors without the help of medicine? Shouldn’t we be seeing some super humans? We don’t because it’s impossible to step outside of the curse in these bodies. We have to go to that scary end and approach death, stop breathing, stop beating, close our eyes and open them to what’s next. And that’s whatever God has planned. Whatever He wants to show each of us.
We were not originally designed for death. We chose death. And it hurts and there’s nothing anyone can say to ease the grief that must be embraced or quicken the time that brings healing. The loss will always remain while we’re here, but the pain will fade.
I do wonder what’s going on on the other side. What’s C.S. Lewis doing? Nabeel Qureshi? Rich Mullins? Aunt Myrtle?
When I read Genesis 2:2, I feel the calm pause before the rest of the narrative takes place. Before man decides he really does want to cross the line and taste evil. The word used for rest in this verse actually means “to cease” in the Hebrew. God ceased His work and blessed it.
Bringing that home, do you cease your work and appreciate it? In life we complete projects, events, to-do’s and move on with our lives. God didn’t do that with His work. He stopped. During this Season of Rest, look at what you have going on and see if there’s anything worth stopping and taking note of. Will you be hosting a holiday this year? Don’t forget to stop and reflect on the little victories from all your hard work! Is a project at work going to come to completion? Celebrate it!
We know that death is inevitable, but while we are alive here and interacting with our Creator, let’s enjoy the time! The Season of Rest is a perfect excuse to cease the day. 😛
WriteMegButler 
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