Paradise for You

 Researchers in England, Canada and the United States have studied the effect of gardens and trees on people.

In England, it was found that people with more access to gardens, trees and parks were healthier.
In Toronto, Canada, researchers discovered that people living in neighbourhoods with more trees were also measurably healthier.

In Chicago, a high-rise complex was built in 1963 to provide better housing for poor people. Unfortunately, this high-rise complex became a ghetto for poor black people. Drug dealing, violence and all kinds of social problems prevailed.

Researchers investigated the effect of the view from these apartments. Tenants who could see trees and green spaces from their windows were able to concentrate better, were measurably more positive and in a better mood.

Another study investigated the recovery of patients after surgery. Patients in a hospital made better progress when they could see green nature from their windows.

God let the first humans live in a beautiful garden.
They then mistrusted God and rejected His love through disobedience.

So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.

After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. Gen 3:23–24 NIV

The consequences of sin are still terrible, but God has not abandoned us.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

What will eternal life be like?

Those who belong to Jesus have a wonderful hope.

When Jesus took the punishment for our injustice upon himself on the cross, two evil criminals died with him. One of these criminals recognised Jesus as the Saviour.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Lk 23:39–43 NIV

The word paradise means ’garden.’