Burnin’ Down the House

The statement was made to me the other day, “God can’t be perfect because he created the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which was used to tempt humanity to fall. Wasn’t that a mistake?” This notion raises profound questions about the nature of divine perfection and the purpose behind such choices. It invites us to ponder whether the existence of free will was worth the potential for human failure or suffering. By granting humanity the ability to choose, was God not also taking a significant risk? This act, often perceived as a flaw in the divine plan, might actually be a testament to the complexity of free will and the deep moral dilemmas that accompany it. After all, could a perfect being create a world devoid of challenges, or is the presence of such challenges essential for growth and understanding? In grappling with these ideas, we find ourselves wrestling with the very definitions of perfection, morality, and the fundamental nature of existence itself.

I own matches. I have them to light candles, start small bonfires for the kids, or to fire up the grill sometimes, making family gatherings more enjoyable and memorable. The flickering flames from the bonfire create a cozy atmosphere where we can roast marshmallows and share stories under the stars. Using matches also plays an essential role in setting the right mood with candlelight during dinner, transforming an ordinary meal into a special occasion. I didn’t set out to purchase them with the malicious intent of tempting my kids to burn down the house. Instead, my purpose was always rooted in fostering warmth and togetherness, ensuring our home is filled with love, laughter, and delightful experiences that encourage safe exploration and creativity in our little adventures.

Comparing the matches to the tree makes sense to me. I would warn my children against messing with matches before they learn how to correctly use and respect fire, as it is a powerful force that can either create or destroy. Just as a fire can warm our homes and cook our food, it can also lead to devastating consequences if handled irresponsibly. I feel God did the same with humanity, providing us with warnings and guidelines to ensure our safety and well-being. That tree had a purpose, and He warned us not to mess with it for our own good, just as we must understand the importance of respecting elements in our lives, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual. Ignoring these warnings has lead to chaos and harm, which underscores the value of wisdom.

That explains a lot. He created for us this perfect environment, one that was filled with opportunities and comfort, and we, like the obstinate children we were, burned it all down and ran away, basically telling Him that we neither require nor desire His assistance, fully convinced that we could find happiness on our own. In our naivety, we believed that the world outside could offer us everything we longed for, not realizing that the very shelter He provided was a reflection of His love and wisdom. As we ventured into the unknown, we were motivated by an insatiable curiosity, convinced that exploring our independence would lead to the ultimate fulfillment. Yet, with every step away from that nurturing haven, we slowly uncovered the fragility of our choices, perhaps sensing that true joy might have been intertwined with the guidance we chose to reject.