Journey--Grow-The Garden of Eden (Purpose)
We are continuing our journey as growing disciples who are shaped and pruned by the Master Gardener –
John 15:1-2 | I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.
There’s no better place to narrow in on how the Master Gardner works than in the very gardens He created. We’ll travel through four of the main gardens seen in Scripture this month, starting in perhaps the most famous garden of all. In these gardens, we’ll see how disciples are refined by the Father as we’re prepared to “go” or be used by Him.
The first garden takes us back to the very beginning. Just after Genesis one’s account of creation, the first garden is made by God for mankind–
Genesis 2:8 | Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made.
The Lord had already created an entire perfect world that was very good (Genesis 1:31). But then he fashions a garden just for mankind, the only part of creation made in His image (Genesis 1:27).
More specifically, this garden was made for Adam. It was beautiful and full of life –
Genesis 2:9-10 | The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches.
In this garden, God also fashioned a helper who was just right for Adam (Genesis 2:18); her name was Eve. Then He gave Adam and Eve purpose, trusting them with charge over the garden –
Genesis 2:15 | The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.
Likewise, He told them to reign over creation, to multiply, and to be fruitful–
Genesis 1:28 | Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
In this beautiful garden, God walked with man in the cool of the evening (Genesis 3:8) and gave him everything he needed to accomplish the purpose God had for him.
Much like the first man, God has created each of us with a purpose. We are to be fruitful (bear much fruit- John 15:2), to bring God glory (Isaiah 43:7), and to make Him known to others (Matthew 28:19-20). While our collective purpose as disciples is the same, if we learn anything from the garden, it is that God takes great care in creating each of us, giving us unique characteristics and the support we need to best serve Him.
Ephesians 2:10 | For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
As His masterpiece, Adam was put in the location where He could best walk out His calling. He was made uniquely to lead and to be skilled in caring for God’s creation. He had a help meet in Eve so that the two together could support each other in accomplishing God’s purpose for them. Their personal relationship with God should have helped them endure the journey God had for them (Hebrews 12:1b).
The first area of growth as we journey with Jesus is allowing God to grow and reshape our purpose- the reason we exist and all that we strive for. He prunes away our doubt, fear, and selfish ambition. He asks us to trust Him to determine our calling, community, and companion. He wants us to look to Him to direct our path and to equip us for the journey. And to do all of this for the sake of His glory and to build His kingdom.
While trusting God in these areas can seem scary at times, the truth is that the plans He has for you are good (Jeremiah 29:11) and far exceed anything you could imagine (Ephesians 3:20). God’s followers trust that He has made them for more.
As you journey with Jesus, are you allowing the Master Gardener to refine your purpose?
In what ways?
How has your purpose changed since deciding to follow Jesus?
Are you allowing God to shape your personality, your abilities, and your calling? How or why not?
Do you trust God to best know where you should live, what you should do, and who’s best for your relationships? Why or why not?
Do you truly believe that God has ‘made you for more than you could imagine or accomplish on your own? Why or why not?