In Korea, the month of May is known as the month
of love. There is parents' day and children's day. There is also teachers' day because
teachers play such an important part in people's lives.
In the past, marriage was done for social or material
gain. There was also a need to produce children and carry on the family name. When
the romantic period arrived, people started to marry for love. This has given some
false understanding of marriage. We should love one another but marriage is not
just an emotion.
When Adam and Eve were together or married they
were in their most vulnerable status, free of social status or other guise. They
loved each other genuinely.
Genesis 2:25 ESV
[25] And the man and his wife were both naked
and were not ashamed.
Jesus loved us despite our sins. Jesus could see
through our actions, words and trickery. Jesus saw us truly as we are and could
still love us.
A good marriage should be based on the ability
to love under any circumstances. We need
to love our spouse in the best of times and the worst of times.
Our children teach us about the best qualities
of love. They teach us about patience, unconditional love and forgiveness.
The
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in Our Lives
Genesis 2:9 ESV
[9] And out of the ground the Lord God made to
spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of
life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Sometimes young people might ask how does taking
a test glorify God. Yet, it does because when we do our best, we glorify God. Then,
the next question is why is work so hard?
We know that because sin entered the world, life
has become hard. God put the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden,
and this might seem strange if Adam and Eve were told not to eat from it. The tree
is pleasing to the eye and in the middle in the garden. It is not hidden away or
made to look hostile.
God desired that we love him with free will. God
had to give us free will even though it was risky. If our only option was to love
God, it would not really be love.
It may be that Adam and Eve ate the seductive
fruit because their love for God was insufficient. It is true that they were disobedient
and did what God told them not to, but they did not hate God or wish God harm.
The tree of knowledge exists in our lives today. They are placed in such a way we are enticed and
tempted wherever we go. This tree is very tempting for us. However, God wants the
proof that we truly love him. The Devil does not tempt us things that are not appealing
or look disgusting. God is looking for our love. He wants us to seek him and desire
him.
We should reflect on our temptation, we
should remember that God wants us to love him more.
Living
well will be different for different people. We need to determine what the life
would look like to give a goal. Of course, depending on our situation, we might
need to respond differently.
Ecclesiastes3:1-3ESV
[1]
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: [2]
a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up
what is planted; [3] a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down,
and a time to build up;
We
can make a life beautiful by responding appropriately to God's plans. But
working hard and accomplishing much will not get us satisfaction.
Ecclesiastes2:10-11ESV
[10]
And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no
pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward
for all my toil. [11] Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil
I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after
wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
Hard
work and success will not make us happy in the long run. We need to work but
also take enjoyment in our work and it's fruits.
Ecclesiastes5:18ESV
[18]
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find
enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of
his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.
God
created us to work to be a part of His creation. In fact, God had Adam name the
animals to share in the responsibility of creation.
Genesis2:18-19ESV
[18]
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will
make him a helper fit for him.” [19] Now out of the ground the Lord God had
formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them
to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every
living creature, that was its name.
Life
has hardship and pain which we will experience. There is a beauty in this
suffering and growth. The changing season can be difficult and brings endings,
necessary endings. This beauty is in the cycle that allows for creation to peak
and wain, to grow and then to recede. Nothing can stay the same. That is not
God's plan in creation.
We
should view the future as Christmas presents. There should be a zeal for life
and excitement about how God will be with us and get us through these
challenges.
We
can be grateful when we understand who created us and has a plan for us.
Where
we live is the Kingdom of God. If God is with us, wherever we go is the Kingdom
of God. The same is true if God is not with you, then wherever you go, the Kingdom
of God is not there.
