Wednesday, March 31, 2010

"...To Be Alone"

Today I read Genesis 2 during my quiet time. It's not too usual to read Old Testament chapters for quiet time, I suppose, but I do think it challenges me to make sense of parts of the Bible that often get overlooked, or simply aren't seen as being worthy of spiritual enlightenment by the Bible study set. Reading through Genesis 2 was such a challenge. How does the story of Eve's creation fit into my life?

I'll start by saying that I'm still undecided about the old earth vs. young earth creation debate, although my faith doesn't crumble if either side is proven true (nor does it crumble if evolution is true, or if Adam and Eve were metaphorical characters). It do believe that every part of the Bible is useful, though, and when reading through Genesis my mind zoned in on the 18th verse: "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'"

This verse has often been used as proof that all men should marry, or that if a man is lonely, then he is not called to singleness and needs a wife. Now, I love all my friends who are trying to get married (gay, straight, or ex-gay), and I wish them all the luck in the world in finding the man or woman of their dreams.

However, Eve just wasn't made for Adam. She was made to be the mother of all humanity, to fill the world with people, who would go on to form communities. Marriage is a very good thing, but it isn't the cure for loneliness. Community in Christ is, and that's my brief devotional for today. I'm loving my time in Belize, everyone!

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