Our Greatest Loss is Our Greatest Gain.

When God expelled them from the Garden of Eden, the greatest loss Adam and Eve experienced was not the blessings of the garden. The consequence for their sin was far greater than material things. They lost the blessing of God's presence. They lost the one thing they were created to fully enjoy forever, namely complete and unadulterated intimacy with their Creator. When we struggle to "get back to the garden" what is the true goal in our efforts? Are we seeking the blessings of a prosperous and abundant life or are we seeking an intimate relationship with God? How we answer this question will reveal a great deal about the truest desire of our hearts. Do we desire God more than we desire his blessings? Do we love God more than we love ourselves?