C. Austin Miles penned In the Garden in 1912. Mr. Miles' hobby was photography. He found that his dark room was the perfect room to meet with God. He even would read his Bible in the blue cast. One day he was in his dark room reading the Easter story in John. The verse that stood out the most was John 20:14. It reads, "At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus." Mr. Miles says as he read John 20 it was as if he became part of the scene in that garden. He immediately began writing once he came to from his vision.
The chorus is just awesome. I vision heaven when I read it. Me and God...just walking and talking. As we stroll He tells me I am His own and I was bought with a price. Neither one of us has anywhere to go. After all there is no time in heaven. What joy I experience! That experience can only be had by a child and the Father. I'm brought back to earth though. I contemplated this song and how it relates to my life now. Here are my thoughts.
The first verse encourages me to come and meet God. It is a privilege to get to do so not have to. I remember my math teacher in 9th grade used to say we got to do homework. If you asked what homework we had to do he would always correct us and say we GOT to do homework. I think of that now. We GET to spend time with God. I am as guilty as anyone else of rushing through prayer time or simply not thinking it matters. I think the first verse encourages us to meet God early. I don't do my studying to later in the day because of my schedule, but I do spend time praying and listening for God before my feet hit the floor in the morning. Joyce Meyer has said she wants Satan to say, "oh no...she's up!" We have to prepare our minds and hearts for the day ahead.
The second verse is convicting to me. Why? Well, I do most of the talking during prayer time. How can I hear His voice if I'm blabbering the whole time about what I want and need and what I think everyone else wants and needs? When we really connect with our Father something changes in our hearts. They are uplifted.
The last verse brings it all full circle. Night has come and I want to stay with Him. I am not exactly sure what the last few lines mean, but have an idea. As I'm drifting off to sleep I'm told to go, go to sleep and rest. Even though I go to sleep He doesn't. His voice is constantly calling me even when I'm unaware.
I hear people use the term "my walk with God" often. What does that really mean though? Does it mean walking ahead with God a few steps behind? Or does it mean that I go on my path and then I call Him when my path gets difficult or maybe when I get onto the wrong path? As I have matured in my faith I have gotten better at letting Him lead. He want time with me. I used to think I could read the Bible and then the information somehow transferred to my head. It doesn't work that way. I like to visualize myself in the scene. I love picturing myself bowing before God just soaking up...Him. He wants time with us. I get to be with Him. I am not perfect, but each day I improve. After all, isn't that was walking with God is?!
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
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
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
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
I'd stay in the garden with Him
'Tho the night around me be falling
And He bids me go, through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling
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
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