Have you girls been keeping up with your appointments with God?
Here is a long note of encouragement from Anand. :)
Read and consider Genesisi 3:1-9
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “ Where are you?” (gen 3:8-9)
Certain places just feel like this garden. Something about the lush vegetation, the time of the day, or the sounds of nature all provoke an almost overwhelming longing in us to experience what Adam and Eve enjoyed every day – a walk with God. The world is still a wonderful setting in which to know God, but something has changed. It changed way back there, in the garden.
The first two people gave up the pleasure of God’s company for their own interests!!. They heard the sound of God walking in the garden, looking for them, wanting to enjoy their usual walk. But they had sinned. Guilt overwhelmed them. They were ashamed to see God. They lost the close relationship they had with Him, and we’ve struggled to recapture that closeness ever since!
God didn’t hide from man; it was the other way around. Adam and eve ducked into bushes in shame, fear and rebellion. But God came looking. He knew where they were, but He wanted them to know He was willing to seek their company. He was aware of their disobedience, but kept his appointment with them anyway!
What amazing fellowship they forfeited! What peace they lost! And yet, before we critize them, remember how easily and how often we repeat their mistake. We make choices that draw us away from god. We experience overwhelming moments of His presence that we wish we could wrap up and keep; yet hours later we turn our backs on Him, trying to shut His gentle whisper out of our lives.
We have to plan and hold sacred the places and times when we meet God. If we don’t deliberately build our lives around these “garden walks” with the Lord, the world will relentlessly fill our hours with other commitments. As He did with Adam and Eve, God will come looking for us. But how much better would it be if He found us waiting expectantly? I don’t want Him to have to call out” Where are you?” What about you?
Here is a long note of encouragement from Anand. :)
Read and consider Genesisi 3:1-9
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “ Where are you?” (gen 3:8-9)
Certain places just feel like this garden. Something about the lush vegetation, the time of the day, or the sounds of nature all provoke an almost overwhelming longing in us to experience what Adam and Eve enjoyed every day – a walk with God. The world is still a wonderful setting in which to know God, but something has changed. It changed way back there, in the garden.
The first two people gave up the pleasure of God’s company for their own interests!!. They heard the sound of God walking in the garden, looking for them, wanting to enjoy their usual walk. But they had sinned. Guilt overwhelmed them. They were ashamed to see God. They lost the close relationship they had with Him, and we’ve struggled to recapture that closeness ever since!
God didn’t hide from man; it was the other way around. Adam and eve ducked into bushes in shame, fear and rebellion. But God came looking. He knew where they were, but He wanted them to know He was willing to seek their company. He was aware of their disobedience, but kept his appointment with them anyway!
What amazing fellowship they forfeited! What peace they lost! And yet, before we critize them, remember how easily and how often we repeat their mistake. We make choices that draw us away from god. We experience overwhelming moments of His presence that we wish we could wrap up and keep; yet hours later we turn our backs on Him, trying to shut His gentle whisper out of our lives.
We have to plan and hold sacred the places and times when we meet God. If we don’t deliberately build our lives around these “garden walks” with the Lord, the world will relentlessly fill our hours with other commitments. As He did with Adam and Eve, God will come looking for us. But how much better would it be if He found us waiting expectantly? I don’t want Him to have to call out” Where are you?” What about you?
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