#2Lifestyle/Gardening--The First Garden

The first Garden ever created was by God. It was a step by step process of producing a Masterpiece that with time filled the whole earth.

The Garden was a sanctuary where He strolled in the cool of the evening and admired His creation. It shows that we were not meant to spend time in concrete jungles but in green spaces as exemplified by God, for healthy minds and body.

The account of His creation is recorded in Genesis chapter 1.

On the first day, light was separated from darkness. By day two the body of water was separated to create space above and below and was called sky. By the third day, land was created to produce vegetation of all kinds.

The fourth day saw the creation of night and day, by light being separated from darkness.

The fifth day was when fish of all kinds and birds of the air were created---fish to swim in the water below and birds to 'swim' in the water above, that is in the sky.

The sixth day animals were created to fill the land, large and small animals, cattle, sheep and beasts of all kinds. He blessed all He created commanding them to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.

Then He created man to carry His image and to oversee all the other creations. The man, Adam was manager of the Estate, and was to enjoy the Father's company in the Garden He created.

Then God created the woman out of a rib He took from the side of Adam to be his companion, as he seemed not to be satisfied with the company of the animal pets the Father gave.

With wisdom everything was put in place before humans were created for their enjoyment-- food, water, fruit bearing trees, herbs and animals, great expanse of land---abundance.

Quite a project that took six days. Prove of God's wisdom and power [Most stumble in faith by debating the six days creation, judging God to be like them. But with wisdom the Holy Spirit helps us know how He did it].

The Garden was created with hills, mountains, waterfalls, valleys and all the beauty that is Earth. All the birds that fly across the sky. The numerous animals and life, flowers, colours, shapes and sizes that give beauty to the earth.

Unfortunately, people often express amazement at the wonders and beauty of the earth, but hardly do most spare time to give credit to the Creator. They worship the creation rather than the Creator because their appreciation is informed by the thief who is in the world to kill, steal and destroy--John 10:10.

I often compare the colours of artificial plants and flowers to natural ones, how it fades so quickly and looses the beauty. Not to speak of the taste of organic fruits and vegetables or even meat compared to those manipulated by man.

Where the natural flowers and plants reproduce after themselves as they were commanded to do in Eden, [Genesis chapter 1: 20-22], the artificial remain 'dead.'

Nothing compares with the smell of the earth that fills the air after the first rain of the planting season or the sight of the first blade of corn as it peeps shyly above the ground. It gives joy to the farmers as they watch the work of their hands flourish. The rich dark soil bring to life seeds long buried as the thirsty soil drink to its fill.

It's good to appreciate all these wonders of God.

Remember, if we take care of the earth, it will continue to reproduce its kind as it had done for thousands of years. It means loving and respecting the One who created and gave these things for our enjoyment. The glory must not be stolen from Him.

Jesus said in John 15:1, that He is the true Vine and His Father is the Gardener.

For creation to fulfil the commandment to be fruitful and multiply and provide food for the inhabitants of the earth, we must honour our part as co-labourers and desist from the desire to destroy.

Copyright--Ofonmbuk Ufot--2024