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"I
am restoring the innocence of Eden. That which was lost will be
found in a profound way"
- As I was conversing with the Lord one morning concerning obedience/accountability, He was giving me an understanding that new levels of holiness require stricter obedience. It is a narrowing of accountability. A friend of mine puts it this way: what you got away with in the outer court will kill you in the Holy of Holies. It's true!! If you don't believe it just take a look at the requirements for the priests and the consequences of coming before the Lord unclean. They were held to a stricter standard because they were to represent God to the people and the people to God. They could have no hidden sin whether presumptuous or ignorant when they came into His presence. We are no different, we must allow Him to continually search our hearts and submit/repent quickly to what He shows us. Paul said that we are a "Royal Priesthood", we will be held to that same standard if we desire to minister to Him and for Him.
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With each right choice we are gaining much wisdom, this is our reward for choosing obedience. He is Wisdom so we are gaining more of Him, actually allowing more of Him to fill who we are until there is nothing left of us, only Him. If we are one with Him, He is in us and we are in Him. It's no longer us and Him because we have been crucified with Him and He alone fills and sustains who we are. As I was understanding these things I began to think how hard it is at times to move quickly in obedience and knowing our every thought the Lord said " they are hard yet simple, these are things that came easy before the fall but man has struggled to grasp them since. I am restoring the innocence of Eden. That which was lost will be found in a profound way."When we think of the Garden of Eden we wonder how anyone could turn away. Everything was so simple and uncomplicated in the Garden. God provided everything Adam and Eve needed, all they had to do was worship their Creator and oversee and enjoy His provision. Now we look around and see all of the "stuff" (desire for material things, stress, striving to get ahead etc…) that complicates our lives. Our wonderful Father always meant for things to be simple, especially the gospel but we have by our own man made traditions and teachings reduced the simplicity of the gospel to a bunch or rules and regulations. Is it any wonder the lost avoid the church? We have too many "rules" and "requirements" that we don't even follow ourselves because they are self-imposed. His ways are simple not complicated. Oh how I long for simplicity. It has become my pursuit. While some are pursuing after power, money, position etc… I am pursing a simple, uncomplicated life hidden in the depths of my Savior.At its core, restoring the innocence of Eden is having a deep inner union and communion with Him in that secret garden of abandonment where He dwells within each one of us. We all have that place within where only we can go. That is where we were created to commune with Him, a place to abide, to remain where all provision is met. Not outside where striving and toiling rob us of intimacy with Him. The Garden provided all that Adam and Eve needed, they didn't have to go out in search of provision until the fall, that is when the toiling and striving began. Genesis 3:6-7 - "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of it's fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings." What Adam and Eve gained in their disobedience was intellectual wisdom which is the opposite of God given wisdom. In reality what they were saying to God was 'I can think and reason for myself in my own wisdom, I don't need you God'. Before they sinned they weren't operating in the "flesh", they were not aware of their flesh, it wasn't an influence or hindrance to them until they used outward means to gain understanding and desired more than what God's divine provision.When we are totally dependent upon and abandoned to Him we will experience the provision and rest He meant for us to have.We must come to the place where we dwell within with Him. There within the depths of our inner most being, in our spirit is where He is restoring the Garden that was lost. A beautiful, fertile place of innocence where everything we need or desire is fulfilled and provided for. We can go there anytime, retreat within where He dwells. There is a place where we can remain constantly abiding twenty-four hours a day seven days a week in Him.We are hearing a lot of teaching lately about restoration and that God is restoring the years that the locust has eaten. Many people are looking for financial, physical, emotional or family restoration. I believe these things will come but I believe that the restoration of Eden within us is crucial to all other restoration. Eden is where all other provision was from the beginning. Matthew 6:33 - "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you" Luke 17:21 - ….nor will they say See here or see there for indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." When our focus turns to Him first and we get all of the areas of our personal relationship tight with Him first then everything else will flow from that.No matter where you've been or what you have done He is restoring innocence and simplicity. You can have it if you are willing to lay down all of your own wisdom and preconceived ideas. Laying things down is just the opposite of striving and toiling. It is His simple way-simple trust and obedience. This brings blessing and intimacy.He is our inheritance and we are His. There is nothing more He would rather do that gaze upon His inheritance. Draw into that secret place, that secret garden of abandonment with Him and let Him restore all that has been lost and all that you so desperately need and desire. Give up your toiling and searching for more on the outside. There is a most beautiful treasure deep within you and His name is Jesus. He is waiting, longing for you to come away with Him……what are you waiting for?
In Him,
Sandee Wichkoski
swichkoski@kenmontcap.com