I like to sit out on my patio whenever I get the chance, especially in the fall. I put a fire in the chiminea, do my devotions, read a book, or just sit. There are not many birds around thanks to the grackles, that is, except doves. They make a sound unlike other birds and they call throughout the area. Over in the corner is a garden, Red Mountain Sage, and roses. Right now the white wild roses are in bloom and also some that are brilliant red. Sitting there in the freshness of the morning, with the sounds, the sights, the aromas, and listening to the crackling of the fire. There is something about it.
“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.”
–C. Austin Miles
What would it be like if the Lord came and spoke. I don’t think it would be lightning and thunder, but it would be that still, soft voice. A voice so calming, soothing, and quiet that the animals, the doves, would be quiet. The doves would realize that their cooing is not equal to His voice. When the Lord speaks there is also that special feeling put deep within our soul. It is a song of serenity, of peace, of hope; it is not tumultuous or raging.
“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.”
Would we stay in the garden with Christ? If so, why is it that we do not often visit Him there? There has to be reasons, for He longs for us to come. We cannot truly sing the last verse of the song, unless we first come to grips with why we do not seek Him in the freshness of the morning and in that garden atmosphere. Woe to us.
“I’d stay in the garden with Him
Tho’ the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go;
Thro’ 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.”
Just think of what it would be like to walk and talk in the quiet of the morning with Jesus. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we cannot afford to tarry and wait for Him–we cannot afford to not tarry and wait for Him.