Genesis 2:25 - No Shame

Step 1: Pray. Select.

Today, as I started my prayer journey, I wasn’t sure which direction the Holy Spirit would lead. Yesterday, it was clear what to study via the song placed in my remembrance.

As I thought about where to meet the Holy Spirit today, the two trees in the Garden of Eden came to mind. I read the Chapter of Genesis 2, which went deeper into the instruction of God in the garden containing the two trees, and realized how perfectly balanced God created everything: Heaven and Earth, the two trees, Adam and Eve, and so on.

I have read this Chapter many times before, but when I am called back by the Holy Spirit to revisit certain words, I marvel at how it always feels new and fresh. I am different and more mature from the times I read this verse, and the living words have grown with me and met me exactly where I am today. The vine branches always extend to reach me, reminding me of God's continual love.

When the Chapter ended, one verse jumped out above all else—verse 25.

We will begin our journey here today, friends.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

Genesis 2:25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.

• Jennifer, naked, they felt no shame.

If you are doing this alongside me today, make sure you add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.

Step 4: Visualize

I meditate on the Holy Spirit's words today and think about what the world must have felt like, never to have to hide who you are naturally. To feel perfectly comfortable in your skin precisely as you are created to be. God created us to be balanced. The words, “naked they felt no shame,” tell me without anything of this world, I am enough. They were enough.

I think about how we all struggle with insecurity at one time or another. When I think about the instruction God gave, telling Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, to my surprise, my attention is drawn to the Tree of Life.

All of a sudden, I have an epiphany. Wait! Did I read this right? Were we allowed to eat from the Tree of Life before the Fall? God said any tree but the Tree of Knowledge. For anyone who is a theologian, feel free to comment on this below since I cannot find evidence that we were not allowed to eat from the Tree of Life before the Fall.

I read a bit further into Genesis 3, and after Adam and Eve partake in the sin of disobeying God and eating from the Tree of Knowledge, we are then no longer allowed to eat from the Tree of Life and it is guarded by Cherubim with the flaming sword protecting the way.

The Holy Spirit reminds me to stay on track and reminds me of the point, which is he wants me to understand that once God has created something perfect, then we taint it with our fleshly sins and desires, through disobedience, we must go through the cleansing process to get back home. We must be purified through our own free will to walk through the fire and choose God time and time again.

This leads me to realize, like never before, that I must walk out my God-given life path regardless of turmoil or trouble I encounter, which is a result of being born into a tainted world from generations before me. It is the way for me to be remade as pure gold and all impurities burned off to enter Heaven as I was originally created perfectly by my creator. Through the sacrifice from the one who knows no sin, Jesus, and glorifying he is the way, the Father is well pleased.  

With some gusto in my step through the understanding that there is a clear path through Jesus to be with my Father in Heaven after the Fall, even if it is met with opposition or challenges, I move to STEP 5 to ask a question.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The question that came to mind is:

• Holy Spirit, how can I draw from the strength of the LORD, knowing you have promised a blessed life but did not promise an easy one, staying encouraged through life's ups and downs?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Here is the answer I received:

“There are two ways to travel through life. You can either live on the side of good or live on the side of evil. You have knowledge of both perspectives through the Fall. Evil always looks good from the outside, but remember the wheat and tare parable. The tare imitates the wheat and often looks exactly like the harvest when it is actually just a weed. To find good, you must strengthen your discernment to see the core of the fruit you encounter. You are looking for things you have seen, which is exactly how Eve was deceived. Look for the core, which is where the seed lies. Is the core rotten, or will it produce good fruit? Take time out of the equation, because you must wait and be patience before you can identify whether or not you are dealing with wheat or tare, since you cannot tell the different between the young wheat and tare. With maturity and learning to feel my presence in any situation, you can identify the temporary from the eternal. Again, take time out of the equation, and you will be filled with the rain that, in due time, will wash away the things that are not rooted upon a firm foundation. Your days on Earth are numbered, but you will never know the number over your head. You were bought with a price, so trust whichever path you take, and with your determination to carry out the will of God, if you keep your eyes on the eternal things and build in my name, I will bless you to ensure your place is secure in Heaven where you will return to one day. If you live a life well lived, it will bless your children and their children for generations to come. Choose your path wisely. Do you want the immediate, which may be tare in disguise, or the permanent, which is locked away until you are ready to pass down good seeds for generations to come? Take your time and choose wisely with each passing moment of every passing day. Check in with your Father through Jesus, and he will show you the way.”

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we want to see how God is working in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.

Conclusion:

Today, I will think more carefully about my actions and expectations as I work toward my future and keep checking in with the LORD to guide my footsteps more often.

Go forward today knowing that as you came into this world naked, there was not one thing lacking. You were, are, and will be perfect in your Father’s eyes.

Be careful not to fix your eyes on the things right before you, but rather, invest in eternal things.

When I think of a life without shame, I think of the freedom that allows us to focus on God's will and purpose over our lives, no matter what the world thinks. It's exciting to further examine his instruction and choose God with every fork in the road the devil tries to lay.

We should not fear failing by our own set of expectations today but be God-fearing, knowing we have a Father who is looking out for us and wants what is best for us and him to be together in Heaven one day.

Be strong today, friends. Don’t be swayed by anything that interferes with God’s plans. Your Eden awaits when he unlocks the door to Heaven for you one day and welcomes you home where you belong. You are more than enough for him exactly as you are.

See you soon, and God bless!