"In the Garden"

4/2/09 Garden of the Heart
Remember the old hymn, “In the Garden?” It was my grandmother’s favorite and a standard at funerals. It’s what first came to mind this morning as I was reading Jesus Calling. I loved the analogy of comparing our hearts to a garden.

I come to the garden alone—solitude is great for reflection
While the dew is still on the roses---first thing in the morning is a good time to open your heart to hear from the Lord
And the voice I hear---His voice, though not audible, can be “heard” when we attune our hearts to His
Falling on my ear---silence aids listening
The Son of God disposes----not sure of the best verb definition here—maybe a combo says it best—He inclines me to be willing to see things from His perspective---putting His view in place in my heart thus settling matters (of the heart)

When I think of a garden, words like tranquil, serene and quiet seem to be descriptive of such a place. How about your/my heart? Could those adjectives be used for our hearts? How does one find that quietude necessary to hear the “still small voice.” We certainly have to be free of the gripping distractions of the world. A lot of us need practice in this area. As Corrie Ten Boom prays, “Father tune our ears to your still small voice…”

3/16 entry in God Calling (gift I received today) summed up what God must think. “I wait in many a heart, but so few retire into that inner place of the being to commune with me.”

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” In the Hebrew “be still” is the idea of hearing someone without them even speaking. Have you ever heard someone’s heart? I have. It was during a time of crisis. Neither of us said a word but as we hugged, my heart heard her heart.

Remember the words listen and silent have the same letters. We need to be silent so that we can hear from Him. Too often in our quiet times you and I just jump right in with our petitions. The essence of being still is more of an opening of our heart to commune with Him. As this happens, we will desire more of Him and with that desire we will receive more of Him. Then we will have ears to hear. Like Samuel we can say, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1Samuel 3:10) We, too, will become more attentive in His presence and then be more willing to “plant” His truths in the garden of our hearts.