A Place to Call Home

Genesis 2:8-9, 15 (NASB):

The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. ⁹ Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.

Within each of us lies a deep yearning for a place to call home. Perhaps you have fond memories of your childhood home. I can recall driving up the long, winding gravel road to my grandparents’ house on their farm in Pickens, SC. Even now, I can recall climbing into the plumb tree in the front yard during the warm days of summer and plucking a sweet delicacy from a limb. I daydream of walking through their wild strawberry patch, eating those wonderful berries until I had my fill. Every Saturday I would go to see my grandparents, and my grandmother would have a five layer chocolate cake with homemade coca frosting. The icing would be poured over the cake and would dry hard. It would always amaze me that there would not be a single ripple in that frosting. It was as smooth as glass. All of those memories, plus many more always bring a smile to my face.

Unfortunately, the farm was sold years ago. Someone else owns it now. Despite all my yearnings to go back, I cannot. Today in our Scripture passage, we see the first home-the Garden of Eden. Modern humans have long wondered where the garden was located. Moses described it as being east of the Promised Land where the Israelites lived after Moses wrote Genesis. One suggested location of ancient Eden is the region around the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates River in modern-day Iraq.

Every garden requires water to thrive. The garden where God put the first humans had an ample water supply from four rivers (see 2:10-14). The Hebrew word Eden refers to a delightful, pleasant place, a king of paradise. Garden indicates a secure enclosure-in this case, a defined area located within a larger region. That God planted the garden indicates that He personally prepared it as home for the man and his soon-to-be-created wife.

You may not have had a secure home growing up. If you were like me, you moved every year or two. Even now, you may not have a place you can really call home. Let me encourage you today. Jesus said in John 14:2-3 (NASB), “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

If you place your faith in Jesus’ atoning work on the cross and His resurrection, you have a place to call home-for all of eternity. In the verses above in John, Jesus assures His followers that right this very moment He is preparing an eternal dwelling place for them. The best part of this promise is that we will be where Jesus is. Friend, you may have a secure home today, but take heart. One day you will have a place to call your own, where King Jesus will be.

The garden contained majestic trees that enhanced the garden’s beauty as well as other trees that produced nourishing fruit for food. Yet God also put two special trees in the gardens, the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. These two trees held significance that went far beyond the provision of food, shelter, and beauty for the garden’s inhabitants. They signified vital features of the life God had in mind for human beings.

God put the man in the garden to live there and enjoy its benefits. However, the garden was never intended to be a place of idleness or self-indulgence. Rather, God expected the man to make the garden productive and to manage it wisely-key aspects of ruling over the earth in God’s stead. Human life has a God-given purpose. Important aspects of that purpose involve being productive and being good stewards of God’s creation.

Many times we have negative thoughts and emotions when it comes to work. The sad reality is that many people are unhappy in their jobs. We see work as drudgery, when God had a spiritual purpose for work from the very beginning. What would happen if we began to see our jobs as a spiritual calling from God, and not just something to endure? I believe if we could grasp the truth that God has a special purpose for every human being on earth, and He wants them to be productive and good stewards of His resources it would change our attitudes dramatically.

Let me challenge you today to see your job as a holy calling from God. Ask Him to give you a renewed sense and purpose in your vocation. Commit to doing your very best on the job for His glory and kingdom. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB) tells us, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” That verse reminds us that there is a sacred purpose in all that we do.

So today, whether you have a million dollar home, live in a fixer-upper, or have no home at all, know this. The Lord of the Universe is preparing an eternal home that has your name on the front door. If you are struggling to find purpose and significance in your job, remember this-God has you there to be a witness for Him. There is value in every job and vocation. Allow God to use you at your workplace to bring honor and glory to Him by doing your very best.

Applying the Scriptures:

Why is having a place to call home so important for people? How can Genesis 2:8-9 help us better appreciate Christ’s promise in John 14:2-3 that He is even now preparing the believer’s heavenly home?

How can we honor God through our work? How is being productive an extension of the wise stewardship of God’s creation?

Serving Christ, Loving Others, and Growing Together,

Dr. Bryan Cox