***This post has beeN edited and added to since its first posting. The Lord has continued to stir in my heart on this topic and it may be edited and added to again. I hope that as it continues to develop more and more truth that you would be moved by the Holy Spirit.***
I’ve dreamed about traveling to Machu Picchu since 8th grade when I learned about the Incas in my world history class (thanks, Mrs. Pearson). I have always been enthralled with history, particularly histories that we don’t know very much about. The intrigue and the mystery makes the gears move in my head in musical ways.
Now, I’d be lying if I told you that part of the draw to the World Race for me wasn’t because of the opportunity to see all sorts of world wonders. I think that we can all agree that I’ve had some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities this year. I can also honestly tell you that I didn’t really put any thought into my route choice. You may remember me saying that I never thought I’d even go on the World Race. I had no idea Peru was on my route until after I had accepted the spot. Talk about the Lord’s providence, right? If this year has proven anything to me it is that the Lord truly gives us the desires of our hearts (Ps. 37:4). Perhaps the more remarkable thing is that the Lord knew that he wouldn’t only bring me to Machu Picchu and fulfill a dream, but he would bring me there on Easter Sunday of all days.
Easter is my favorite holiday. On Easter we get to drink in the victory we are given so deeply. A victory that we don’t deserve, that we could never earn. On Easter Day we get to celebrate abundant life and what it really means to be a child of the light.
As far as ancient ruins go, I would dare to say that Machu Picchu screams the loudest of abundant life. It is lush, green, and teeming with life. From its lookout points you can see miles and miles of jungle, an enormous rushing river, and hundreds of people enjoying every square inch. We even got to see a small botanical garden on our tour of the city. To spend resurrection day there was truly surreal.
Anyone who has ever heard of the Bible is familiar with the significance of gardens and God used Machu Picchu, Easter, and a blog post shared by a Facebook friend to remind me just how thoughtful He really is. Mankind fell to a life of sin and suffering in The Garden of Eden. A place that God intended for good, came to a bad end… but God still intended it all for good. Many people are also very familiar with the Easter story, but there are some small details in there that really make all the difference. If you can’t already see where I’m taking this, I’ll just let you in now: gardens.
The first place in the Easter story that we see the garden coming back to life is in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is here that Jesus has a choice. It was his choice to follow the will of his Father. It was his choice to go to a criminal’s death. It was his choice to endure the wrath of his father pent up toward all of his people. You know who else had a choice in a garden? Adam and Eve. And as we all know, they chose wrong. They chose to veer outside of the will of God and they ate the forbidden fruit. Before Jesus even went to death he began righting their wrongs by choosing correctly in a garden.
Scripture says that at the place Jesus was crucified there was a garden, and not only was there a garden but in that garden was the tomb where Jesus would be laid. God intended to bring the mess full circle.
“At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.” John 19:41 NIV
As if that wasn’t incredible enough, when Mary Magdalene wept by the tomb and Jesus appeared to her she mistook him for the gardener.
“At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” John 20:14-15 NIV
She couldn’t have been more correct. He may not have been the gardener of the earth around his tomb, but he was in the business of tending to living things. His people and their lives. Our amazing God took the tragedy of the Garden of Eden and turned it into the world’s greatest love story. He transfigured death into life and has offered it to you and to me.
This weekend has been nothing short of incredible and my heart is bursting with gratitude. I got to experience a place I’ve dreamt of for years with my Father and in that he showed me his plan from the very beginning. I don’t know what is coming next, but I know that I can trust his heart and his intentions and so can you.
Amen
