Finding Peace and Rest
IN GENESIS Chapter 2 verse 8, ‘Now the Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden’, I note the verb ‘planted’, not ‘made’. I think there is a difference. ‘Made’ suggests a finished product, complete and final in its moment of creation. ‘Planted’ tells us that God’s garden was alive. Gardens are living organisms which develop, change and grow. The lawns and trees in my garden tell me so.
On just one occasion I have visited two gardens in Cornwall – the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. The Eden Project is clearly made by human beings; it is extremely popular, but I found it very commercialised and far too crowded. In contrast, the Lost Gardens of Heligan are more natural. The plants and trees in different parts of the garden seem almost to have planted themselves, and I found it easy to find quiet places where I could feel in touch with God’s creation.
Verse 9 goes on, ‘And the Lord God made all kinds of trees to grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food’. God is an artist. He made, and still makes, trees pleasing to the eye. I can’t think of any tree in its natural state that isn’t pleasing to the eye; each has a grace and a presence that speaks of God’s creation. God was creating beauty right from the start. The next verse, verse 10, follows with ‘a river watering the garden’. Trees and water – what more could a painter want? God’s will was to fill our lives with beauty and delight. Eden means a place of delight, a paradise we say; and ‘paradise’ is a Persian word meaning a pleasure garden. Some commentators point out that even in pleasure gardens, the gardeners have to work. But most gardeners say they enjoy working in their gardens.
God’s purpose for humankind was to be planted in the garden, to grow in the beauty and delight that flows from the presence of God. It was God’s garden – we read of him taking his evening walk in it, a lovely image. In the garden where God is, where His presence is real and tangible, there is paradise. So why not take time out to visit the countryside or favourite garden where you can find a time of peace and rest in this busy and noisy world?
Rev Jeongsouk Kim
Retiring Methodist Minister for Caversham and Woodley
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