Jenny For Jesus

Listening to the hymn, “In the Garden” always creates this warm sense of peace in my soul. Today I felt God nudging me to write about this hymn. I went on YouTube and listened to it. I opened my hymnal to study the lyrics. But as I read, I had to ask God for understanding because I wasn’t quite sure what it was he was showing me through this beautiful song.

The first response I sensed from the Lord was, “Where is your garden?” This piqued my curiosity further so I decided to research the origin of “In the Garden”. I discovered that the author, C. Austin Miles was inspired to write this magnificent piece after reading from the gospel of John, chapter 20. This scripture contains the account of Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb and hearing Jesus calling out to her from the garden. This isn’t the first time that God spoke to mankind in a garden setting. He created Eden for Adam and Eve, placing them there with a desire for a lasting relationship with them. 

“I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.” Every morning when we wake, we should be searching for Jesus, just as Mary did that first Easter morning. He called out to her in the garden outside of the empty tomb. He’s calling out to us as well. We need not hide the way Adam and Eve did when they sinned in the garden. Jesus broke that barrier so that we can have the companionship with God that he originally planned. 

When we set aside daily time with Jesus, it strengthens our relationship with him. “Where is your garden?” Mine happens to be at my kitchen table, formerly belonging to my grandparents. Once upon a time, my garden was the tub, as that was the only quiet place I could find. The place isn’t as important as the company we keep in that garden. “He speaks and the sound of his voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing; and the melody that he gave to me within my heart is ringing.” Each new day should start with our “garden” walk with Jesus. It sets the precedent for our entire day. Imagine, the Lord, who causes the birds to quiet with his beautiful voice, loves us so much that he calls us out by name. We should respond enthusiastically, “Teacher!”

“I’d stay in the garden with him, tho night around me be falling. But he bids me go; thro’ the voice of woe his voice to me is calling.” How awesome it would be just to study the Bible all day! But God has set out his purposes for us and beckons us to move. We have his reassurance that each step we take will be guarded by him. We just need to listen and recognize his voice.

“Where is your garden?” Go to it and he will meet you there. “And he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” As we rise to the dew covered ground, let us each visit our garden for our daily walk with Christ. In so doing, we will experience a joy and peace that can only come from our Savior. Where, my friends, is your garden?