The Reconstructed Eden
(Part two of the Eden Series)
One of the most compelling aspects of my job is also one of the most tragic: seeing the state of spirituality amongst British men. And the common denominator in most spiritual tragedies is usually a misguided foundation stone. It seems that many of us are tempted to plant our feet of faith onto how we feel at any given point. We all want a sign from God that our heart’s desires will come true. We chase after biblical extras in the hope that we would feel something other than how we feel right now. But from my trekking up and down every major motorway in the UK, I believe that nothing good comes from a faith based on ‘feeling good’. Or indeed as Jesus said: “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign.”
But as I encounter all sorts of Christian faith on this island, I see further proof that not only is God real, the Bible sovereign and the Sprit active, but that there is an almighty restoration project being carried out in everyone who trusts in Jesus.
(And part of me doesn’t even know if the restoration is always taking place on a conscious level.)
Peter Gladwin, Richard Taylor, Rob Joy, Paul Gask, Tim Brown. These are the names of just five new friends I have got to know in recent times. They’re also five men who are walking proof that the Creator can reconstruct any man, in any situation. All the above names were men who looked at Jesus when their life map fell through.
And I think the reason why I am humbled to meet guys like this, is because their stories are far more powerful than the wham bam thank you ma’am spirituality that seems to draw a lot of Christians in our culture. God’s reconstruction of our characters is incredibly good news for our friends who don’t yet know the Good News.
Which faith lasted longest, those dramatically rescued during the parting of the Red Sea, or the salt of the Earth Jesus’ follower Stephen? Within days of the Red Sea parting those who were delivered from death were already questioning their God. Stephen never saw miracles of such grandeur, but his last words, spoken as religious men hurled rocks at his fractured skull, were declarations of God’s power and truth.
So why do we still chase after new revelations, extra blessings and signs? Are we not content with the fact that God has the power and the inclination to reconstruct a broken man like me into something stronger?
What does your week look like? How trashed is your Eden? The Bible says that some us will allow false teachers and bad influences into our spiritual houses. If that’s the state of affairs for your Eden, let me tell you that all is not lost by any stretch. Your loving heavenly father has his hand above the ‘Reconstruct’ button, waiting for you to give him the green light. Would we be the followers who ask God for signs of truth or those who ask him to make us the signs to Truth?
As you read this, God is reconstructing the traces of Eden in the lives of millions.
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Peace
*The Reconstructed Eden is the second part of Alex Willmott’s Eden Series.
Next Friday, CVM will publish part three: ‘The Return of Eden’.
