God’s Purpose Made Personal – Dinner Decisions

Key Bible Verses:  “You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”  – Genesis 2:16-17

Bonus Reading:  Galatians 5:16-25

In the Garden of Eden, God was very clear to Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:16-17 about His moral will.  But He also gave freedom of choice.

Imagine that Adam said to Eve, “I’m hungry.”

She responded, “Go get some fruit, and I’ll fix it up.”  So Adam picked some fruit and brought it back.

Eve said, “Which of these do you want me to fix?  I want to follow God’s will.  Would you go ask Him what I should do for supper?” So Adam goes out to talk to God and comes back.  Eve asks, “What does God want us to do?”

“He didn’t really say,” Adam answers.  “He just repeated what He told us before.”

Eve asks, “Did any of this fruit come from that tree?”

“Nope.”

“So what should I make?”

“Well, let’s start off with cherries.”

“How should I fix them?  Should I slice them, dice them, mash them, bake them in a pie, make them into a cobbler, or just pull together a fruit salad?  I don’t want to do anything displeasing to God.  Be a sweetheart. Go back one more time to ask Him.”  So Adam goes back and returns. Eve asks, “What did He say?”

“Same thing.”

—James Emery White in You Can Experience … a Purposeful Life

My Response:  One decision I expect God will leave to my discretion is …

Thought to Apply:  There’s wide latitude within the limits of God’s will. We won’t feel cramped.—Vance Havner

Adapted from You Can Experience … a Purposeful Life (Word, 2000)

Prayer for the Week:  I want my life to count for you, Lord. Help me to discover and follow your best purpose for my life.