Dr. Bryan McIntosh has written a narrative beautifully explaining the connection between the Garden of Eden and how to live your God-given life to the fullest.

One of my favorite lines in the entire book (let’s be honest – have your highlighter and pen ready every time you pick up this book) says this: If we believe we are created by God, then success in our purpose is not measured by human definitions. My mind was blown in the first paragraph!

It is so easy to measure success by human standards: am I successful enough, am I beautiful enough, am I smart enough? God wants to be more than that. He created us to be more. We were created to be a reflection of God. We were created to care for everything God created. And most importantly, we were created to spread the truth of His goodness.

Ephesians 3:20 (The Message version) explains this beautifully: God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

God chose to create Adam and Eve to take care of his entire creation. He made them with a purpose. He made them in His image. Did they make a mistake when they ate the forbidden fruit? Yes. Did God forgive them? Yes. We don’t have to live in the Garden of Eden to experience grace and mercy from our Heavenly Father. He gives it enthusiastically, always.

Personally, I get very caught up in the idea of my purpose. Was God disappointed that I left my job in the corporate world to be a full-time mom? Is my purpose to be a writer? Is there something else God is patiently waiting for me to discover that will change the world?

One of the most important lessons I gleaned from this book was that God doesn’t care about my work or my job as much as He cares about being His child, taking care of His creation, and sharing His true nature.

Doesn’t it feel good to have that burden lifted?

As a human, we all recognize our days are numbered. Death is inevitable. But as long as we have a heart that beats and air in our lungs, God wants us to LIVE. Truly live a life filled with joy in the knowledge that God has called us to walk as true believers in Christ. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He paved the way for us to live a fulfilled life. All we have to do is walk.

What if we made our job to be a person who loves everyone? Instead of ruling over people, we choose to serve people? Imagine the idea that those whom the world views as insignificant may well be most honored in God’s eyes. It happened over and over again in the Bible.

Jesus was a beautiful example of living a life reflecting God’s image, not imitating mankind. He repeatedly did things that were simply not done (talking to women, healing untouchables, asking sinners to join him on his journey).

Our salvation was earned the day Jesus died on the cross. We are not called to be stewards because we need to earn a spot in heaven, we are called to be stewards to express our gratitude for our salvation and to glorify our Heavenly Father.

In this study, Dr. McIntosh also explores the identities of child, ambassador, and saint within a believer’s life and:

• Reminds readers of the glorious purpose God had for mankind;
• Reveals the implications of Jesus’s sacrifice;
• Defines the crucified life Jesus produces in and for his disciples;
• Displays Jesus as the gateway to restoring us to our created purpose.

Giveaway!

The publisher of “Made for Eden: Promises and Provisions for the Life God Created You to Live” has generously provided me with an additional copy to give to one of my readers! This week, you can enter to win a free copy of “Made for Eden” for yourself or to give to a friend. Here are three ways to get entered:

1. Subscribe to my blog in the upper right-hand corner. New subscribers will automatically be entered.
2. If you have already subscribed, comment “subscribed” below.
3. Comment on the Facebook post: “I need to read this!” (Because you do! 🙂

The winner will be announced THIS Thursday, March 10th. Good luck!

Until Next Time,

Neko

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for this review. The review is my honest opinion and is not swayed by the receipt of the book.