I was around before you can imagine. The book of Genesis hints at that time, before it begins a story about how you and I hit a bump in our relationship. The Garden of Eden represents a time when I was able to communicate and walk with humans uninhibited. There was nothing to separate us, and I loved you dearly. But something happened to hurt our relationship - humans chose to break their friendship with me by going their own way. That separation hurt deeply, and I spent many lifetimes preparing to repair the damage. I told stories, through the writings of the Jewish people, of how humans were exiled, and then returned to their "home" - to their garden. Jacob was exiled, and returned repentant to his brother Esau whom he'd wronged. Joseph was exiled into Egypt by his brothers, only to be reunited. The Israelites were exiled in Egypt, but I returned them to their homeland (read the book of Joshua!). David was in exile as King Saul tried to take his life, but eventually came back to Jerusalem to become Israel's king. The Babylonians took the Jews captive, but they were returned from their exile (check out the books of Ezra and Nehemiah). Over and over again I told the story of humanity through the Jews. And then I came myself. I came to reclaim a people exiled from God, to cover your shame, and to create a place - a garden - where you and I can meet once more without anything getting in the way. It's like the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15), where the younger son is exiled but returns to his father and is accepted with open arms. All you have to do is ask me to show up, right where you're at. I'll accept you exactly as you are, you can be as messed up as humanly possible. I won't let you down. I died and was resurrected so you can find new life, a new way of being, with me.
