Eves Past

Everyone has made at least one really bad decision in their lifetime. That decision they wish they could just forget about because of how it had left them with some pretty hefty consequences to face. It can very hard to get over some of the wrong choices we have made especially if people keep bringing them up to us. What if, for you because of a wrong choice you made that was the one thing people always referred to when talking about you? What would that make you feel like? Well we have all heard the story of Adam and Eve, and, of course, about the bad decision they made. We typically view Eve as the one who allowed the sin and evil to be apart of us and it seems no one has anything good to say about her because of her past. However, take a moment and put yourself in her position and imagine how she felt. Imagine knowing what you had done was the reason for so many problems you were going to face. Imagine the guilt and shame she felt when she became a mother, knowing her children would suffer because of a choice she had made. Then picture her children knowing the whole story. Imagine her telling her children she used to live in this beautiful garden where she walked, lived and literally talked with God Almighty, and then suddenly it was over – she was kicked out. Imagine what her children had to have thought. That their mother along with their father had eaten something forbidden and because of that their fate was sealed in certain areas! I’m sure everyday Eve thought back to when she lived in the Garden of Eden and how she must have wished she could go back – that she could have a “Do over’’ and yet she knew she couldn’t. She must have wondered everyday looking at her children what it would have been like for them if there was no sin and evil in the world. I’m sure as she lay her head down at night, she spent many nights crying tears of remorse, sadness, and at times immense guilt and shame. One can’t truly imagine how she felt. Now while we as women may not view ourselves as having had made such a serious and wrong decision as Eve we are still imperfect. We still have made decisions that were and are wrong. We have done or said something to others that was wrong and will do so again. We will still have those moments where we will face shame, guilt and maybe at times the feeling we cannot escape our pasts. One thing to remember is that God loves and values us and will forgive us of our sins. That its not that God condones our sin, but rather that even though we may have consequences of sin He will not leave us. Even as horrible as it sounds God could have killed Adam and Eve for their complete disobedience to Him and basically started over, but He didn’t. Yes, they had to deal with the consequences of their choices and had to leave that perfect dwelling place, but they were not cast off from God. God did not abandon them because above all He loved them. So, for you as a woman, as a mother and even as a wife know first and foremost God loves you. Know that even though you may have made some serious wrong choices know that God has forgiveness and healing for you. Know that the reason God sent His Son was for you – for you to have that free gift of mercy and grace. Know that the reason He sent his Son to die on the cross that day was for the forgiveness of your sins so that you would never be separated from Him in eternity. It doesn’t matter what the sin is or even how many times it has been committed – Christ’s blood on the cross that day covers all sins. If you want to experience Christ’s love and forgiveness and desire for the love of God to come in and wash you clean and help you to move on His love, freedom and grace then pray this prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You today understanding that I need forgiveness of my sins. I believe You sent Your Son to die on the cross and that Jesus’ blood was shed for the forgiveness of my sins. I believe that Jesus died and rose again on the third day and through Your Son we are able to live together in Heaven for all eternity. I ask you now to come into my heart and life and wash me clean of all my sins. I ask that you come into my heart and live and be the Lord and Savior of my life. I ask that you give me wisdom and direction each day as I seek You and Your perfect will for me and my life. Thank you for your free gift of salvation. In Jesus name, I pray amen.” Perhaps you already have accepted Christ and you like Eve have made some choices after knowing God that you need forgiveness of. Perhaps you have walked away from having a serious relationship with Christ and you want to get your life back on track again. Then I ask you to please pray this: “Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you today asking for Your forgiveness for how I have not lived my life intentionally for You. Please help me from this day forward to live a disciplined life that honors and glorifies You. Help me to daily seek You and the direction that You would have me to go in and guard my heart and mind to stay focused on You in all things. In Jesus name, I pray amen.” If you have prayed one of these prayers then rejoice for your sins have now been forgiven. As far as our lesson from Eve goes one needs to remember this: That while Eve may have made a horrible decision and one at great cost we are really no different from her. We are imperfect people who make bad decisions just about every day and yet most of them are not made public as Eves were. However, Eve was a woman who made a bad choice and yet God loved her and still looked after her and in that sense she’s no different than you and I.