Decisions, Decisions

It was the second day of the new year and my devotional led me back to Genesis, back to the beginning where the man and his wife were in the garden with God, naked and unashamed.  I love finding new insights in old familiar passages and once again the text does not disappoint.  It is the dialogue between the woman and the serpent, the familiar exchange we have heard time and again. 

The conversation begins innocently enough with a question, “Did God really say…”  The serpent, described as more cunning than any of the wild animals that God made, places his suggestion in question form and it is enough.  Enough to lead the woman to rehearse and then eventually reexamine what, until now she had simply accepted as true.  Sensing the open door, the serpent moves her forward, quickly turning the question into the lie.  Can’t you see him roll his eyes, shake his head and exaggerate a chuckle as he hisses, “You certainly will not die: for God knows that in the day when you eat, then your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good…and evil.”

The first sin was not the act of disobedience but rather the decision to disobey.  The point of decision is always where rebellion first occurs.  It is here that we question God’s law and His right to require it of us.  We scrutinize His motives which attacks His nature or at the very least calls it into question.  We challenge His omniscience and resist His sovereignty for it takes all of this to choose to disobey.

The questions arise when Satan presents an opposing position or outcome to what God has said.  “You shall not surely die.” 

It is then that we begin to reason within ourselves, “Well, after all the tree does have fruit on it.  What other purpose does it have if not for food?!  And it looks so good.  And it will be good for me, making me wise.  What harm can eating one piece do?  Just…one…bite…”

But immediately, there is shame and guilt and fear and our attempt to hide ourselves from God.  However, here is the beautiful irony.  God does not move away from us.  We – like Adam, Eve, Cain and the countless men and women who came after – move away from Him.  The presence of the one true and living God comes for us, calling us by name, and we hide amongst the trees of our busyness in fear and disbelief.  God is always pursuing us.

As we step timidly across the threshold of a new year, we may be tempted to quickly construct our own fig leaf resolutions in a feeble attempt to cover the mistakes of 2014.  But in fasting and prayer, in solitude and stillness, I am reminded that the sacrifice for our sin has already been met in Christ.  There is now no condemnation, no need to cover ourselves and hide.  No, rather, we can come boldly before Him, like little children, naked and unashamed once again.