Had to play with fire and get burned, only way the boy’s ever gonna learn.
Isn’t it true? Sometimes it takes choosing pain in order to suppress our curiosity to rebel. But could there be another option?
On our squad we have a mentor, Amy, who literally exhales gold every time she speaks. Amy is basically our spiritual guide who commits her life’s work to ensuring the 37 of us don’t return to the United States the way we left it in 2018. To put it plainly, she’s a boss lady.
Amy introduced a concept to us that I want to spend some time dissecting. I’ll do my best to pay it forward given that this correction of thought has literally changed the trajectory of my life. My hope is to offer a deeper revelation on what it truly looks like to live FREE.
Before proceeding, I’d like to request that you drop any preconceived notions on the historical accuracy of the Bible and focus on seeking meaning, value, and principle. For the sake of this post, we’ll assume that the details of the story are fully true in order to arrive at the expected end. Cool? Cool.
Guys, the first few pages of the Bible are loaded with insane depth and revelation of who God is and who we are because of it. The story of Adam and Eve alone introduces the state of humanity in more ways than I may ever fully understand. Though there’s so much to be said about it, let’s just hone in on the trees.
It’s common knowledge that there was a tree in the Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve were advised not to eat from. God tells Adam, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day you eat of it you shall surely die” Genesis 2:16-17 NKJV. So here we see the only “rule” they were actually given was: Don’t Die. Sounds like pretty good advise to me. Now let’s pause for a second.
It’s super easy to get fixated on this one tree that leads to death, but by doing that we ignore the 999 good trees. When God created the garden, He filled it with herbs and trees full of lush fruit. He created an abundance of options for Adam and Eve that would only lead to nourishment and pleasure. Yet, their eyes were fixated on the one not so great option. The only one that would hurt them.
Let’s zoom out a bit. How often do we settle for less when there’s an abundance of great options to choose from? I believe this story was the beginning of this scarcity mentality that still plagues humanity to this day. In reality, when God is speaking to Adam, he introduces His desire for us to be FREE: “you may freely eat”. He wants him to know and understand that earth was never meant to deprive us from what we need or even desire for that matter. But just as a mother instructs her child not to touch fire, knowing the consequence for the action, God is protecting Adam from the result of choosing the lesser option.
If you know anything about me, you know that I’m extreme anti-rules and anti-institution. I don’t like to be boxed in and to be honest, that was never God’s design for humanity anyway. He desires for us to freely choose and guides us on how to choose life instead of death. And the reality is that there are a lot more ways to choose life over the things that result in harm and separation. The 999:1 ratio in this story in particular causes me to reflect on all the times I’ve chosen scarcity over abundance. Paul puts it best in Romans 7:19 “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (NIV)
Let’s take drinking for example. I love me a good drink and a floor to dance on. But what I don’t love is waking up with a hangover and feeling like crap the entire following day. This is easily avoidable by choosing from the 999 good trees. For example, having a few drinks, drinking enough water throughout the night, and actually remembering the fun I had dancing the following day. Instead, in the past I’d often choose to over drink, hereby forgetting to hydrate and questioning every decision I faintly remember the next morning when I wake up on the couch that’s 20 feet away from my comfy bed. You get my point?
We actually have the freedom to choose life. When granny and gramps chose the lesser option, God actually does something amazing that I’ve always overlooked. There’s another tree in the garden called the Tree of Life that would cause them to live in sin and separation forever if they ate from it. In order to protect Adam and Eve, he guards that tree with and angel and tells them to leave the garden to avoid the temptation. This always seemed harsh to me until I realized God is actually protecting them from living life hungover because of one bad night. He wanted to give them the option to choose a second (3rd, 4th, and 5th) chance to restore their relationship with Him. He does the same with us.
When we screw up the reality is that we should die, but instead, He extends mercy and gives us the freedom to choose from the other trees next time around. The most beautiful part is that He’ll let us get burned so we can truly embrace the freedom to not touch the fire again. While religion takes the fire away completely and causes us to freeze, sin keeps us burning in the flames. Neither are great options. Both end in literal death. Let’s choose to simply sit by the fire and allow it to keep us warm as it was always intended.
Let’s choose to live FREE.
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QUICK LIFE UPDATE
So I have some great news. On the Race so far, we have had two World Race alum, Alex and Marissa, who join for the first 5 months to lead our squad and raise up leaders to take over when they leave. I’m super excited to announce that my teammates Madison, Cody and I have been asked to lead the squad from here on out. This is a huge honor and I am extremely privileged to co-lead the squad for our remaining 7.5 months!
This month we’re in Eswatini (formally known as Swaziland) where we are training for our new role. It is gorgeous here and full of lush green trees all around. I’m full of peace and learning so much everyday. Thank you to everyone who’s played a part in my journey through financial support, words of encouragement, and prayer. You’ve literally changed my life.
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Thank you so much for reading and following along my journey!
Much Love,
Stella
IG: @stellaagee
YouTube: Stella Udeozor
