Counsels on Relationships

Counsel #28 — The Eden Home

Picture: Counsel #28 — The Eden Home CR 233.1

Have you ever had a dream so beautiful that when you woke up to reality, you were sad? In today’s society, some may argue that there aren’t a lot of positive things to look forward to. Thankfully, it wasn’t always this way, nor was it meant to be! Before sin entered the scene, if you had dreamed of sleeping to the sound of tweeting birds or taking in the scent of blossoming flowers untouched by pollution, you would’ve been dreaming of Eden. Here, God’s presence was woven into every detail.^[248] CR 233.2

Now, think of today’s world. Raging wildfires, restless hearts, and families pulled in every direction. Although this is our reality, as Christians, it’s not our forever! While we can’t recreate Eden’s perfection, we can reflect its peace by tending to our homes like we would a growing garden - nurturing love with intention, planting rotations for rest, removing weeds of chaos, and inviting God to walk with us daily. The goal of every Christian family should be to be intentional about covering the home with God’s presence, every single day. In doing this, Eden won’t seem so far away. CR 233.3

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” Isaiah 32:18 NIV CR 233.4

“The Garden of Eden was a representation of what God desired the whole earth to become…” Ellen White in Education , p. 22 CR 233.5

Reflect: In what ways does your home reflect Eden’s? CR 233.6