So, this is how I picture an interview with Eve could have gone.
Me: Hello, Eve. I’d like to ask you a few questions. Can you tell me about the recent events leading up to yours and Adam’s relocation from The Garden District?
Eve: Well, one day I was just minding my own business, tending to the garden (my absolute favorite thing to do). You know, the soil there was so rich and perfect for growing anything. Our current location has rocky, hard ground. Talk about back- breaking work to get stuff to grow! So, like I said, I was just doing my usual stuff, like planting and weeding, when this serpent struck up a conversation. He seemed so genuine when he inquired about how I was doing and what I thought about my life within The Garden District. I shared how blessed and happy we were to be living in such a perfect place. To know we were chosen to oversee such beautiful surroundings of lush, green vegetation, trees, flowers, and all kinds of creatures great and small. You know, Adam was chosen to name all the creatures. Pretty cool, right? Well, I had never thought there was anything missing in our lives or even questioned God. You see, Adam and I were allowed access to all things, except the fruit from this one tree in the garden. By the way he spoke, the serpent obviously knew this as well. The more he talked about what this one tree could possibly offer, the more I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I began to ponder things like “What if I stay within the boundaries that were created for Adam and I?” “What if we are missing out?” “Could we have more?” “Could we have a different life?” Question after question came. Scenario after scenario played out until I made the choice to eat of that tree.
Me: So, what I hear you saying is that this one thing the serpent highlighted caused you to question your trust in God and His plans? And, because you doubted God, you took matters into your own hands believing your way was better?
Eve: Yes, looking back now, I see that while I knew how to plant seeds to grow vegetables and herbs, that serpent knew how to plant seeds in my mind. Seeds that would distract me from my purpose. Thoughts grew into feelings of dissatisfaction and doubt. The results had consequences, which is why Adam and I now find ourselves removed from the place that was created for us. All of sudden, what was good didn’t appear that way.
The interview will continue, but let’s fast forward to today.
This is what I could currently and honestly tell Eve… Girl, the struggle is real! Although I’m not standing in a garden conversing with a serpent, I am bombarded daily with messages, pictures, posts, and tweets. All of these things constantly have

opportunities to influence me to question everything about my life. They can easily point out that “one thing”. “Do I have the right ‘what’ or ‘who’ in my life?” “Could I possibly be missing out on something beyond what currently defines my life?” I’m sure you get the point. It can be absolutely exhausting! I can go from distraction to dissatisfaction in about sixty seconds.
In 2013, the Oxford English Dictionary adopted the word “FOMO”. FOMO is the acronym for the “fear of missing out.” This fear of missing out refers to the feeling or perception that others are living a better life, happier, and experiencing better things than you.
It sounds similar to the phrase “keeping up with the Joneses”. The advancements in our digital world and instant access to others’ lives only increases exposure to opportunities for dissatisfaction to begin to grow.
I read research that found that after the events of 9/11 there were increased feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression as people were reminded of the brevity of life. Individuals struggled with the pursuit to live life to the fullest and as well as (if not better than) everyone else.
The enemy hasn’t changed his tactics from what he used that day when he spoke with Eve. He will stop at nothing to lead us away from God’s purpose and to distract us from what really matters– our relationship with our Creator and reaching others for His kingdom. We can reach a point in which we question God’s goodness and our trust for His sovereignty in our lives. Little distractions can easily become big detours.
With recent world events, we are once again reminded that life is short. I pray that I will have a fear that motivates me to live life to the fullest in regards to God’s plan for my life. May I be reminded time is short and those people in my realm of influence need to know the message of the cross.
“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” (Psalm 16:6 NKJV)
“Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.” (Psalm 90:12 CEV)
“Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ISV)