~I want all of you to think about what Eve has done, why she made a bad choice, and the effect that her decision had on the world. The importance of reflecting on this is to understand that when you decide to do something, even though you have good reasons, you must also look at the consequences! Once you've made a big decision, it takes on a life of its own and grows exponentially over years of time without your being able to control it. So the only purpose of reading about what Mother Eve did is for you and I to learn a lesson that is valuable in our own lives. So I'll continue my train of thought.
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Now, Eve is not only out of her beautiful home, but one son has killed the other. And even though God gave her a son to replace Abel, could a mother ever forget a son who was as good and as worthy as Abel? Do you think this is part of her consequence for eating the fruit? I believe in a roundabout way it was, and though it might not have seemed like such a big decision at the time, it turned her life--and the life of her husband--inside out. In truth, it cost her TOO dearly.
I have to wonder about the relationship between Adam and Eve: What did they think of each other after their decision to disobey God? Could they ever feel the same about each other? The consequences of their sin would necessarily change everything about their relationship, and their relationship with God. For Eve, gone were the walks with her God in the cool of the evening. Gone were the conversations with her Creator. Gone was the loveliness and innocence of her life. Gone was the security and comfort of her garden home. Gone was her independence.
Eve paid a terrible price for her decision to ignore God's command not to eat of the fruit of that one tree--the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Even the name is seductive. But may I ask you a question? What price are you paying for your sins? If you want to examine that question, look at where you're hurting. And ask yourself why you're hurting. I would venture to guess that it's because you're being stubborn about a situation which you could do something about. Hmmm...really? Being stubborn is a form of pride, of thinking that you're too good to ask forgiveness of the person who has done you wrong. And it's also a sign that humility has abandoned ship. Oh, we all believe ourselves humble, but from what I see, most of you don't actually know what that word means. I'm not trying to be harsh--just making an observation. And, of course, I include myself. Humility is not a natural trait and has to be cultivated.
And one more observation I would make is that our country is suffering because there are few mothers at home, and few fathers who take a leading role in the family. The children are spoon fed by the government from an early age, and as they grow older, they know nothing about the Bible or God's laws. They know little of morality and kindness. And if they grow up to love God, it's more like a miracle than an expected result. What do your children see in your life? Do you say one thing and do another? That is the worst kind of hypocrisy. Life is fragile. And life as we know it is hanging by a thread. You probably haven't read the sermon by the fiery New England minister, Jonathan Edwards, who scared his congregation by telling them that they were like spiders hanging by a thread over the fire of hell. At any moment, they could fall into the fire and be lost forever. I'm reminded of his sermon because it seems to fit our situation now.
What will you do to make a difference in the world we live in? What CAN you do? You can decide that your decisions will not take your family in the wrong direction or out of connection with God. If Eve had another chance to choose, what do you think her choice would be? Honestly, she represents all women everywhere who have choices to make that are disastrous to their families. And we must remember that in spite of her choice to eat of the forbidden fruit, Eve is the Mother of all Living--that includes you and me--and is a blessing to all women everywhere.
Have a wonderful weekend. Give Eve's life some thought in comparison with your own and learn!
Blessings...Mimi
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