Before Thorns

I was reading excerpts from an Erie pastor's sermon blog when I came across an oft repeated teaching about Adam and Eve.  Adam's instinct for self-preservation prompted him to shift the blame squarely on his wife, in order to deflect the attention of God's righteous justice.  In that familiar lesson, there was enough rearrangement of words that I heard something new. 

Like so many, I only know connections that have been warped by sin.  With my parents, my siblings, my children, and my spouse I have a history, a track record.  Our interactions have always been tainted by self-love, deceit, jealousy, pride...and the list goes on.  It is a formidable challenge to break the well-worn grooves caused by indwelling sin.  I practice the exercises of sanctification, "put off ___ and put on_____", with years of effort spent to gain a slight victory.  Many times I have raged at myself for not holding back that sharp word or caustic tone -- again. 

But Adam had a connection of pure love with Eve.  They were, together, perfect.  Their communication was always "...helpful for building one another up according to their need that it may benefit those who listen."  And it all existed within an atmosphere where communion with their Creator was unhindered and fully satisfying.

This subject probably veers wildly into doctrine and theology and there are big pieces relevant to proper interpretation that I'm not even thinking about right now.  But the small part of the story that has caught my attention simultaneously wrenches my heart and gives me hope. 
Even the perfect environment did not inoculate Adam against seeking his own welfare before that of his wife.  He threw her under the bus.  He made a choice to save himself and leave her to perish. 

As I do.
Because the corruption at the core of all my relationships is that I look to my own interests, first.  The battle is to love others more than myself, regardless of the hurts and the sins piled up around.
This side of Heaven, the conditions will never again be ideal, but the calling is not contingent on the circumstances. 
It never was.

'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.   On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'