Genesis 2:8-9 –

“And the Lord God planted a garden toward the east in Eden (delight); and there He put the man whom He had formed (framed, constituted).  And out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight or to be desired – good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life also, in the center of the garden.”   AMP

Genesis 3:8 –

“And they heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day…”   AMP

In the garden, Adam and Eve experienced an intimate, close relationship with the Lord.  A relationship so close, they heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden.  A place where He sought them out and called their names in the cool of the day.  A paradise of security, care, and provision all wrapped in the center of His love for them.

Come, meet with Me –

My mornings used to start with my feet hitting the floor rushing to get my kids ready for the day so I could be to work before everyone else arrived.  Often, in the process, I heard the Lord’s voice calling my name into the secret, cool place of the garden to meet with Him, to start my day with Him.  Instead, I was pushed and driven to the public place of usefulness, telling myself I would meet with Him later in the day only to find by the afternoon or evening – I was worn, tired, and weary.

Come, to the Secret Place –  

Over time, weariness and my crying prayers for help caused me to listen and grasp the calling.

 The secret place is the garden of my heart where the Lord meets with me.  A place where He calls my very name to find His beauty, His abundance, and His Living Water.  A place where He refreshes my soul, satisfies my hunger, and quenches my thirst.  A place where He draws me to Himself to clothe me with His majesty and splendor.  A calm, peaceful, and soothing place securely wrapped in His glory.  It is the very center of His love where He continually invites me to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Life in the center of the garden where Christ dwells.

Lord, come meet with me –

For several years now, I awake and prayerfully ask the Lord to come meet with me to allow me to give Him my first fruits, the best time of my day.  It’s a quiet, dedicated, and intimate time with Him before the cell phones start ringing/texting, before the television/radios start blaring, or others start requiring my attention.

The following is posted next to my bed as a daily reminder to start my day with praise to my God.

“With the earliest birds, I will make one more singer in the great concert hall of God.  I will not want for rest, or a longer time to myself to consider all my troubles.  I will give my best time, the first hour of the day, to the praise of my God.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

Our constant doing is a distraction to the secret place of being in the center of His love.  A place He calls us to be deeply rooted, grounded, and cultivated to soak in the truth of our redemption in Christ Jesus.  He invites us to drink of the Living Water and eat of the Tree of Life to allow His love to flow through us.  In turn, we are to pour that same love into the lives of others.  It’s not to be held.

Has the Lord been calling you to come to the garden alone to be with Him to give Him your first fruits and best time of the day?  Listen, grasp the calling for it is the place where you will discover and know He walks with you.

Bless you!