Our desire for true relationship is yet another indicator of God’s claim upon our lives. The image of God we have from Scripture is that of a relational God. Theologians spill much ink delineating the triune nature of God. This same God who exists corporately and individually (Father, Son and Spirit) creates humanity in His image. And this is essential for we, too, are relational beings. The portrait of a world set to rights in Genesis depicts a harmonious relational order: God, man, and woman — Creator and created — sharing life together in the garden.

And yet, the Fall produces a world where relationship is severed. The intimacy between God and man was destroyed causing all creation to groan for redemption. Furthermore, the relationships we share with one another are marred. We’re made for each other, yet each human relationship comes to an end through death. “If this is paradoxical — we’re meant for relationship, but all relationships come to an end — we find in both parts an echoing voice that reminds us of the echoes we have heard in the first two chapters (p36).“

God’s story illustrates His heart for relationship with us. As God enters the garden in Genesis 3, searching for the man and woman hiding from His presence, we hear His broken-hearted cry: “Where are you? (Gen. 3:9)” I’m convinced it is this desire for relationship that leads God to the cross, the place where He restores that relationship with us. This is redemption: God reconciling His image-bearing creation back to Himself.

Indeed, it’s as if we and God were made for each other.