This is such a profound revelation for us as God’s created beings. Many times we struggle with finding where we belong whether in our career-path, in relationships, among friends, businesses, etc. We venture into so many activities and many times, we're not sure if we took the right steps. Right here in this verse, we're reminded that it is God Who must place you in the garden He created specifically for you.
Therefore, we must stop running up and down, helter-skelter, looking for our own garden. It is time to run back to God, literally lay down and ask Him to pick you up and place you in the garden He has created specifically for you, where you belong. The request (Prayer) can be as simple as saying: dear Heavenly Father, which garden to I belong? I lay myself (body, soul and spirit) down and ask that you lead and place me in the garden you created for me.
Fast forward to verse 15, now we’re told God placed the man in the garden of Eden to tend (work inside it) and watch over it. Not surprising but quite interesting that in verse 8, it was described as a “garden” and now in verse 15, it is referred to as the Garden of Eden. This signifies that this is no longer an ordinary ‘garden’ but now a Garden of Purpose!
A Garden of Purpose is rich with flowing river that separates into four headwaters (the source of a stream or other rivers). These rivers flow with riches of the earth: gold, aromatic resin, onyx and so much more. They run through lands, providing essential benefits for sustenance. They quench thirst of humans, animals and plants, sustaining life for millions of generations.
The Garden of Purpose flourishes with life; it thrives under the watchful eyes of the man placed inside. Had the man wandered away from where God placed him, it is possible that this Garden of Eden would have deteriorated. But the man tended to the garden, day and night, he watched over it. Perhaps, he would rise every single day and smell the roses then prune off the thorns that grew too long. It is possible he ran through field of lavender in this special Garden, to enjoy the aromatic intrigues of the purple plants. Perhaps, he climbed the trees and spread himself wide on the branches to watch the sunset behind the evening clouds. Whatever he did inside, it was God who planted him in this Garden of Purpose, this Garden of Eden. In fact, once inside, the man had the liberty to tend and watch the garden as he saw fit. No where in the verses of Scripture does it mention that God specified how the man was to tend to the trees and the rivers and the beautiful riches inside this garden.
Wherever you find yourself working today, I want to encourage you to take a pause and ask yourself: did God place me in this ‘garden’? And is this my Garden of Purpose? If you’re in the Garden of Purpose, continue to thrive, dear readers.
If you’re not, I lovingly encourage you to lay down and ask God to transport you, this year to your Garden of Purpose. It is imperative! When He brings you to the Garden of Purpose, life becomes significantly meaningful. Even when the terrains get tough, you'll feel as immovable as a mountain because you know you’re living in your Garden of Purpose!
While the man tended the Garden of Eden, he had only one stipulation, "DO NOT EAT FROM THIS TREE..." It is fascinating to know that the Garden of Purpose had two important trees:
a. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
b. The Tree of Life.
Next time, we will examine the purpose of these trees and how they’re important for our Garden of Purpose.
Shalom.