“And God saw that it was good.”
This line is repeated multiple times throughout the entire creation story in Genesis. Everything God ever created, in all of history, He sees as good. No matter how much Satan has twisted our views, God sees the good.
In the first reading from this past Sunday, we hear of God forming man out of clay from the ground, blowing the breath of life into his nostrils. A few lines later, we are told the story of the serpent twisting God’s words. “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1) Up until this point, Eve saw only the good; she trusted her Heavenly Father and never questioned His Goodness.
Yet, with one small word Eve questions everything. The serpent asks, “Did God really say…” and Eve doubts that her Creator has her best interests in mind. She suddenly questions if she had been lied to the whole time. She panics and tells Satan that God did not say she can’t eat from any tree, but only the tree in the middle of the garden. Eve then told the serpent, “God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’”
But wait a second! God never actually said that, Eve. He commanded them to not eat it—He never said don’t touch it. But look how slyly the serpent twisted her understanding!
Satan has been twisting the words of God since the beginning of time, and he continues to do it to this day. He wants us to doubt that our Creator loves us beyond all human understanding. He wants us to listen to his quiet promptings and lies before we listen to the One who truly desires our good. He wants to sneak in and make the most subtle changes to what God says, so that we will ultimately question our Heavenly Father’s goodness.
This Lenten season, as we are walking toward Christ’s Passion and Death, we are reminded of God’s goodness. No matter where you are in your journey with the Lord, He sees you as good. He loves you so much that He would rather die than risk an eternity without you. He suffered the most gruesome death because He knows you are good—you are worth it.
Stop letting the cunning serpent steal your joy and convince you otherwise. Turn away from your doubts and run with open arms back to your Heavenly Father who would do it all over again for you.
All my love,
P.S. Listen to this song and let the words penetrate your soul with Truth!
