We are created for face-to-face encounters with God. Imagine the first time Adam opened his eyes at the very instance God breathed on his nostrils the breath of Life. In a moment, He saw the face of God shining in glory right in front of him! We could just imagine as he was gazing upon His face, all that God is- His love, power, goodness, majesty, perfection, and glory inundated him and every fiber of his being pulsated with divine life. Literally, Adam was saturated with God. He was soaked in glory!
This is a beautiful picture of what face-to-face with God looks like. This encounter was not just for Adam exclusively but it is for the rest of mankind as well. In God’s sovereign plan, He designed us His Masterpiece to live in His Presence, in the place of intimacy. This is our highest purpose for creation- to host and be filled with the very Presence of God and live in perfect union with the Godhead. And from that place we shine with His glory in all that we are and all that we do.
God placed the first man and woman in the Garden He called Eden. Eden means pleasure and delight. Come to think of this, He created a perfect world, and as if it was not enough, He planted a Garden- the Garden of His delight and pleasure. That became the special home for His beloved masterpiece-the first man and woman. In that place He gave them the mandate to manage the whole creation by expanding the borders of Eden to the rest of His created world.
God, Who is love in highest perfection, sovereignly chose us to be at the very center of His delight and pleasure. We are God’s bull’s eye of His eternal affection. Mankind is created and wired for intimacy with the Maker.
Day after day, God would walk with Adam and Eve in the Garden in the cool of the day. As days unfold Adam and Eve discover the different facets of God’s character and beauty. The more they see Him and hear Him the more they wanted to know Him and the more they discovered who they are in Him. Gazing upon His face is like looking at the mirror they see their true identity in Him; for so they were primarily created – in His image and likeness.