Abba,

One of my favorite hymns has been and continues to be, In the Garden.  In a world of noise, clamor, chaos, and mayhem, the picture and image of going to a quiet, secluded garden to be still before you, to fellowship with you, and to enjoy a focus, undistracted time with you has always provoked my heart.

Problem is, I often fail to get away to this garden.  Even in my best intents and efforts, even when I do slip away to this “garden” I find my mind and heart distracted and I walk away feeling like I never really met you there.

That’s not you.  I know that.  It is all me.  Even when in the “garden,” it is possible to not be “in the garden.” 

Oh how I grieve and am sorrowful over the distractedness of my heart and mind.  How frustrated I often am when I do find or make the time to slip away only to not really enjoy stillness and intimacy with you.

How I grieve that I have a heart that is so easily distracted and so easily kept from you.  How I long for the day when I will enjoy your presence unimpeded by the cares and weights of this life!  How I long for the day when I have no thought or eye for anything but you and your glory and majesty alone!

Until that day, Abba, I plead with you, through your Spirit, to regularly quiet the noise and clamor so that my inner being has ears to hear your Spirit as He moves within me.  Grant me an inner peace and escape from the cares of this life so that I can enjoy an unfiltered intimacy with you!  Give me eyes to see your glory wherever I go!

Your Spirit draws to mind the occasion just days ago when pulling in from running errands.  Several birds skittered across the driveway, flying low and landing on the grass to the left of the drive.  A squirrel scampered right after them and raced up a tree to escape the approaching vehicle.  I clearly remember the thought that entered my mind at the time…YOUR creation, Abba, is so full of life and beauty!  But how often do we miss those little moments because they are too familiar, too ordinary!  How often do we miss the beauty of the sunlight sky, the moon standing over our heads in the fading light of the day as evening approaches?  How often do we miss the wonder and glory of the thunder and lighting? How often do we miss the majesty of your eternal glory all around us because we are too busy to see it?  How often do we miss the opportunity to be still, to enjoy you, to speak with you, to delight in you because the noise and clamor of this life is all that we see, hear, and experience?

Have we become so dulled, Abba, by this life that we no longer have the ability to be still before you?

This verse rings out in my head….

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): 10  “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

Oh that we would revive the practice of learning to be still before you!  Oh that we would train ourselves to step away from the noise and clamor of this world so that we can better hear your voice and know your presence without distraction.

Oh that we would be like Jesus who counted it such a priority that he often left the clamor and chaos of the world to be alone in the garden with you.

Abba, let us come, each of us…your children….your bride….your church…let us come to the garden regularly and immerse ourselves in the joy of intimacy with you! Teach us, lead us, and move in us so that we dwell persistently in the garden with you!