Joanne Sher: Editor/Proofreader : Hello. I'm Eve

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6 NIV

When I read in Genesis 3, I often get frustrated - sometimes even roll my eyes - at Adam and Eve. They're the very first people, living in a beautiful garden with everything they could possibly need, and lots of things they want. There's only one thing they're told not to do.

And they do it anyway - and we ALL lose as result.

Graphic credit

How could they possibly feel that they wanted - that they could benefit from - the only thing their loving Father had kept from them? Why would ANYone reach for the forbidden fruit when their provision was abundantly more than they could ever use, or ever think to ask for?

But perhaps the better question is: how is what I do every day any different from what Eve did?

Because, more often than not, I allow my desire for more than my gracious and generous Heavenly Father has already provided to make my own gaze stray from His provision to that which can lead to my destruction. And I don't just look. I reach up and grab it. I shove it in my mouth. And I offer it to those who are with me.

Every time I am discontent with what I have and act on it, I am no different from the first woman. In my desire to have what the Father does not see as best for me - and especially in my effort to get it contrary to His will - I am Eve.

Every time I decide I don't need Him - that I can function better independent from the Lord - I am choosing the serpent over the Son.

Photo credit

It's easy to point fingers at Eve. To say, "if that had been me, I would never have eaten from that tree. I would have enjoyed all the amazing blessings God had given me and ignored the serpent."

But we reach for what the Lord has warned us against every day. We envy. We covet. We steal. We lie. And the list continues.

I am Eve. So are you. Go ahead and point your finger at her - but remember, our other digits are pointed right back at ourselves. And we deserve all four.

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing more than we could ever need or want in this life - and for not snatching it all away when we reach for what we know is outside Your will. Help us to remember that we can do nothing without You, and to desire to live right in the center of Your will, rather than where we think is best for us. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

**
We're discussing this here, and at Living by Grace on Facebook. Won't you join us?

Why is it so hard to be content with the blessings the Lord provides?