God’s original creation was good. Genesis 1 and 2 show us the idyll of Eden, the perfection of God’s creation and the fact that God created man for communion and fellowship with Him. Sin marred that creation and since then, we have lived with that ache, knowing that we were created for something we don’t yet fully possess. Paul talks about how “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” (Rom 8:22-23) Most of us understand that feeling of yearning, of longing for something more.
“When the first light brightened the dark
Before the breaking of the human heart
There was You and there was me
Innocence was all I knew
‘Cause all I had to know was You
We were running underneath the trees
I wanna see you face to face
Where being in Your arms is the permanent state
I want it like it was back then
I wanna be in Eden
I remember how’d You call my name
And I would meet You at the garden gate
How the glory of Your love would shine
And I remember when the stars were young
You breathe life into my lungs
Oh I never felt so alive
I wanna see you face to face
Where being in Your arms is the permanent state
I want it like it was back then
I wanna be in Eden
To be naked and unashamed
In a sweet downpour of innocent rain
I want it like it was back then
I wanna be in Eden
Where my eyes can see the colours of glory
My hands can reach the heaven before me
Oh, my God, I wanna be there with You
Where our hearts will beat with joy together
And love will reign forever and ever
Oh my God I wanna be there with You.” (‘Eden’, Phil Wickham)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGlLL_m4dWQ
As Matt Redman says, a day is coming when the troubles of this world and the burdens of this place will be gone:
“I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You” (‘You Never Let Go’, Matt Redman).
God is actually preparing something even more amazing than Eden for us:
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ” (Rev 21:1-4)
May our hearts be encouraged even in the yearning.