Road to Eden

"e;If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, also we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world."e; (C. S. Lewis, 'Mere Christianity')'The Road to Eden' is the story of my quest to apprehend the other-worldly desires – call them, romantic, poetic, or spiritual – that arise in every human heart. What are these yearnings? And from what realm do they hail? Where can a person find satisfaction for the immortal longings of the heart; in what kingdom an elixir for the unquenchable thirsts of the soul? Where could such a quest even start?Jesus started his preaching with: "e;Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."e; (Matthew 4:17) 'At hand' means the desired realm is within reach. The desires themselves, heralded by everything from far-flung stars to a father's face, high culture to humble craft, deep past to distant future – indeed from all that is beautiful, true and good – are overtures from the heart of Heaven's King. And 'repent' means you can turn around; stop going down Adam and Eve's dark road to nowhere, and let the temptations of the true desires take you back toward a vast and beautiful kingdom . . . and of course, to the King himself.