(Also see the post entitled In the Garden-Cultivating Our Relationship with the Lord)
In the beginning. In the garden.
So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. Then
God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth
and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and
all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Genesis 1:27-28
Such a beautiful picture of a Father loving and trusting His children! He created them to be as He is. He blessed them. He granted enormous privilege. Most importantly, He talked and walked with them.
Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there He placed the man He had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden He placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:8-9
She saw that the tree was
beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it
would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave
some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At
that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at
their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:6-9
And, so it goes. From that point forward, the garden stroll, the walk with God in the most perfect of gardens was off limits. The door was shut. Sin had entered in where it had no place. Where it had been forbidden. No direct access to the Creator of the Universe Whose power is beyond all comprehension. Access denied.
And then came Jesus the Christ. The Door. God had a backup plan! Hallelujah! Those who believe in Him will receive the gift of eternal life in circumstances far better than imagined. And, for now, those who believe can walk through that Door and, once again, walk with God in His garden. Anytime. Anywhere. Just by speaking the name of Jesus, believing, and following in His steps.
I know thy works: behold, I have set before
thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little
strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Revelation
3:8
This walk in the garden.... It is precious. It is a privilege that some know, few recognize and even fewer utilize. It is truly an undeserved honor bestowed upon us to walk in the garden with the Lord.
An honor and privilege bestowed upon us by the Almighty. Yet we take it for granted. Time flies, schedules fill, 'to do' lists multiply, activities accelerate. "No time for that walk in the garden today" we hear ourselves say. Other things are more important......?
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if
any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and
will sup with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
Without walking through that door and into His garden, we can never know Him. Yes, we can know of Him but not truly know Him. Without walking with Him, we won't understand our true purpose, be given access to divine wisdom and counsel, be comforted, be healed, receive peace. We will miss out on the most important things in life because we are worried about the insignificant details of our lives rather than leaving them with the One who has an answer for everything under heaven.
We call it quiet time. The daily bread and living water we MUST have each day to make this life's journey. To give, to serve, to love, to live fully. To receive His blessing. To give out His grace. To resist temptation. To live truth. To speak life into others. To live abundantly.
Quiet time. Time to be undistracted, undisturbed. Time to focus on the One Who matters most. Time to cry out to Him with heart issues, praise and thank Him for all He does every day (the seen and the unseen), ask for forgiveness to release us from bondage, and seek guidance in the smallest of things knowing that He cares and He is into the details. You can talk to Him about absolutely ANYTHING!
Quiet time. It is also a time to enjoy being in His presence in stillness and solitude. To love and be loved. To write things down as He gives guidance through His Word, speaks to you in His still small voice, or answers a prayer through a devotion.
Quiet time. It is truly the most important part of your day. Whether it is at the beginning, the end or some time in between. Whether it is in your favorite chair, on the back porch, or in the car. Take that time in that space to cultivate your garden. Bring an offering of sacrifice in time, praise, thanksgiving and fellowship. To grow in your relationship with Him. To know Him better. To become more like our sweet Savior. To develop and sharpen those gardening tools in your spiritual tool box.
Such a marvelous gift. What a wonderful relationship! A small sacrifice each day after all He has done and continues to do for us! Make time for Him. Be still and know Him. He is always waiting and wanting you to know Him more.....
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