Experiencing God's Curiosity and Compassion by Chuck DeGroatSample

Before the world began, God–the Trinity—imagined a world of goodness, of flourishing, of delight –Eden–with human beings at the very center of it, created for worth, belonging, and purpose. Can you imagine it? Sit for a while in Genesis 1 and 2, if you will, and simply be in this lovely, vast, beautiful garden of goodness. Breathe in the fragrant gardenias, listen for the desert rain frogs, notice the bright reds and blues on the face of the mandrill. Most of all, feel your soul at rest. Here, you are seen, known, and loved beyond your wildest imagination. Here, you’re held in an embrace that feels more comforting than any you’ve ever known.

God creates Adam and Eve in his image. He makes both of them, together, male and female—designed for three core things – worth, belonging, and purpose. Slow down and rest here for a moment, because this is your inheritance too. You were designed for dignity – profound worth, enough as you are. You were made in and for love – profound belonging, held in an infinite embrace. You were created for purpose – a life that matters, ambassadors of God’s shalom in the world. Nothing missing. Nothing lacking.

Stop and breathe in the goodness. Here, there is no chasing worth. Here, there is no need to fit in. Here, you matter more than you know. This is a land of delight. It’s your home. It’s your inheritance. It’s your future too. And you can even taste it right here and right now, because it’s within – an irrevocable birthright.

But it all goes so very wrong, you say. Don’t be so quick to turn to the next chapter. Stay here a while. Learn to notice the graces of this place. Poets and sages from C.S. Lewis to Mary Oliver remind us that Eden remains in our hearts and in our imaginations. That deep ache you feel before a radiant sunset or as a flock of Canadian geese pass overhead – it’s the ache of Eden within. The tears that well at the sight of your beloved – it’s the ache of Eden within.

You – yes, YOU – are created for worth, for belonging, for purpose. Your birthplace is Eden. Before anything else, this is true of you. Whispers of worthlessness will come. Shouts of shame will arrive at your doorstep. So, you’ve got to listen very carefully. God’s kind pronouncement over you is the enduring and true story of your life. It’s the better story. It’s the one Jesus will come to remind you of. It’s the story the Spirit testifies to within you, every single day. Listen.