He always greets me with His arms open wide and He holds me close the whole time we’re there. Our conversations range from the deepest, most painful topics to minor, seemingly insignificant subjects. But nothing is unimportant to Him. His gentle eyes crease as He smiles at me, enjoying the reflection of His own likeness within me. I tell Him about everything, and even though He already knows everything I’m about to tell Him, He still loves to hear the way I say it. Then He offers me a refreshing taste of living water as He shares His thoughts and His deepest desires. Often His words are few, but they’re so full of power I can marvel in them for days on end!
I love the talks we have here… the comfort of sitting at His feet, just as Mary did, hanging on His every word. When the rest of the world is violently shaking all around me, I find rest here. Even when He has to correct me, His gentle yet firm words are so full of love that I would still rather be here than anyplace else on earth! Then, at some point, our time comes to a close and I exit the garden gate. But, the question is…where is He as I leave this place?
I used to think He remained on the bench, waiting for me to return the next day. But do you know what I found out? The Bible tells us, in at least ten different places, that the Lord will never leave nor forsake us.* Anything the Lord repeats that many times must be important—and this tells me, although I may have thought I was leaving Him in the garden, He has chosen to stay with me.
Because I often become like Martha upon exiting the garden—hurriedly going about preparing and doing—I may not always notice Him. But that doesn’t stop His relentless pursuit of me. He throws little things into the repetitive and mundane just to remind me He’s there: beams of sunlight spraying forth from behind a cloud or unexpected words of encouragement from an unusual source. Whatever He chooses to use, He’s providing me little glimpses of His glory all day long, enticing me to look His way and acknowledge His presence.
The Lord wants me to see Him so I’ll know that I can tap into that garden experience with Him at any moment—even when there are distractions and pressures and other things pulling at me for my time and attention. I believe this is what the Apostle Paul was referring to when he said that we are to pray without ceasing. It’s not that we always have to have our eyes closed, hands raised, and be locked away in a secret prayer garden with the Lord. It’s walking with Him throughout the day, noticing His presence, and listening for His leading.
I can almost hear my wild-hearted Savior saying, “Oh, Martha, Martha… come sit with Me in your heart. Slow down your mind and remember how important it is to flow in the unforced rhythms of My grace. I will give you all the fresh strength you need. I really enjoy our quiet time together, but I can’t be contained in that little garden. I’m a blazing fire! I want to go on adventures and do great exploits together! Take Me into your world and let’s see what we may do!“
What an invitation! Yet the invitation begs the question…
How might you slow down today, notice His presence, and invite Him into your world? How can you get Him out of that garden-prayer box and allow Him to mess up your plans and push you outside of your comfort zone so He can communicate with you, bless you, and use you to bless others?
A few ideas may include playing worship music at your desk to fill your spirit and affect the atmosphere as you work in the mission field of a secular job. Or maybe you need to stop in the midst of some kid-chaos to hide in the bathroom and simply pray for wisdom on how to train the children He has blessed you with in the way that they should go. Or perhaps you need to push life’s pause-button long enough to go outside, breathe in some fresh air, and marvel at the perfection of God as He is reflected in nature. There are countless ways to slow down and communicate with the Lord, but you have to start by just choosing to do it on purpose.
Take a moment, maybe even right now, and say, “God, I know you’re here with me. Please forgive me for allowing you to fade into the background. Won’t you please share with me whatever it is that you would have to say to me at this very place in time?” Now wait just a bit longer to hear His reply.
Communion with the Lord….it’s that easy.
* (Deuteronomy 31:6, 31:8; Joshua 1:5; 1 Kings 8:57; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Psalms 37:28, 94:14; Isaiah 41:17, 42:16; and Hebrews 13:5)
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