a tree replanted in Eden

This is one of my favorite scriptures:

Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.

Psalm 1:2-3 (the Message translation)

I just love the thought (& reality) of being a tree replanted in Eden. In Eden, everything was perfect. Man walked with God like a friend and talked face to face in the cool evening breeze. Everything was provided and there was no death or shame. Man didn't hide anything from God because there was nothing to hide.

Then we all know what happened there. That went to pot.

But our great hope is that Jesus has restored all of this! Because of him, we can be a tree replanted in Eden - drawing from God's rivers of Living Water for our nourishment, bearing fruit, and resting in fellowship, free from shame, with our God once again. yay, yay, yay!!

Shame can't wither our leaves. Sin can't wither our leaves. Worry and anxiety can't wither our leaves. Situations of life can't wither our leaves. We are. . .Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.

Everything has been restored through Jesus's obedience and work on the cross!

It's hard for me to live in the innocence and childlike state that Adam and Eve must've enjoyed in Eden - walking with God in complete nakedness. I always feel the need to cover myself with fig leaves. But God wants me, his beloved child, to come to him free from shame, free from hiding, with confidence in the righteousness that Jesus has earned for me.

Evie's name sort of came from this verse.

I hope so much for her to never pick up shame. I hope she will receive grace and fellowship with God through Jesus just like Eve first did in Eden.

I know a lot of people think of Eve as the one who introduced sin and death. But when I think of Eve, I see myself in her - and it only reminds me of the amazing work of grace that Jesus has done for us. Eve reminds me that he has won us back. He has restored what we once had.

No shame. I am a tree replanted in Eden - walking with God in the evening breeze - enjoying such refreshing freedom through Christ Jesus.

*click image for image source.