Meeting Jesus In The Garden

"For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten son,

that whosoever believes in Him

will not perish,but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

I love to go into the garden of my heart during my devotional time.  I describe these morning visits as a time when the Holy Spirit using my imagination to speak to me.  I lean back, close my eyes and ask for a hedge of protection around me as I listen to the Holy Spirit speak.

In the garden of my heart there is one thing I can always depend on.  Jesus will meet me there.  There has not been one time in two years that He has been absent.  Most of the time as I "enter the gate" He is waiting for me.  There are times He takes off and beckons me to follow...there are times we link arms or hold hands as we walk together in the grass, on a path, or while hiking up a mountain. When I am sad or fearful, I can lay with my head in His lap as He comforts me, sometimes we just rest together.  He "speaks" to me with words or pictures, and sometimes with silence.  He is always with me.

"And surely I am with you always, 
even to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:20b

About nine months ago when I entered the garden I noticed a big pile of boulders of all sizes to my right.  Behind them there was a cross.  I could only see the base of the cross, but I knew instinctively that this was the cross of Jesus and that here was where I was to lay my burdens.  So, now whenever I enter the garden, I walk over to that area and ask myself or Jesus what I need to lay down.  I have laid down quite a few backpacks full of "stuff".  If Jesus died for all that stuff why would I want to carry it around?  To carry it around would be denying His suffering for my sins and for the sicknesses that come from the enemy.

We are in the beginning of Lent, and when Bonnie from Faith Barista Jam gave us the word prompt,  "Jesus", I could not help but think about my garden visits with Him.  I could not help but think about what Jesus did for us on the cross.  And dying for us would be more than enough wouldn't it?  But..........Jesus also left us the Comforter, and told us that when we invite Him into our hearts He comes!  He dwells in us with His unconditional love.  It is His nature to love and He can be no other way.  This is our Jesus!  Our Savior, our Healer, our Friend, our Defender, our constant companion, our Everything!   Jesus.

Jesus............Jesus............Jesus

There is something about that name

Master..........Savior...........Jesus......

Like sunshine after the rain

Jesus...........Jesus..........Jesus

Let the Heavens and earth proclaim

Kings and their kingdoms will all pass away

But there's something about that name.

I am linking up with Charlotte over at Spiritual Sundays and with Bonnie over at
Faith Barista .