• Identity
  • Singleness
  • Love
  • Loss
  • Marriage
  • Motherhood
  • Mentoring
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Kindred Grace

  • About
  • Values
  • Contact
  • Guest Post

like a walk in a garden

Elisabeth Allen · 3 minute read

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

What if devotions are intended to be less of a chore and more of a gift…like a walk in a garden?

What if devotions are intended to be less of a chore and more of a gift...like a walk in a garden?

I love the verse in Genesis 3 that says,

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day… (Genesis 3:8)

In this verse “they” are Adam and Eve. I think it’s beautiful that God used to come and walk with them in the Garden of Eden. In the cool of the day, He came, to walk with them in companionship. The sad thing, of course, is that Adam and Eve rebelled by disobeying God and eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And that is why, when they heard God in Eden, they,

…hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8)

I know a little bit how Adam and Eve feel because when I start fussing about how far from perfect my heart is, well, then I stop wanting to walk with God in companionship through devotions.

The funny truth is that I know that God knows the exact state of my heart at this moment. And I know that He knows it better than I do. And yet when I’m embarrassed about the state of my heart — the worry, the tiredness, the preoccupation, the hurt about the blessings that are missing, the ingratitude for the blessings which are mine in abundance — I hide from God.

As Adam and Eve discovered, of course, hiding from God doesn’t really work.

He called their names. He confronted their sin. And although He barred them from the fruit of the Tree of Life, He provided a solution to their problem for them and all of us, a solution that involved another man in another garden.

The man was Jesus and the garden was the Garden of Gethsemane when He said,

My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death. (Matthew 26:38)

Christ knew the price that He was going to pay so that Adam and Eve’s descendants — all born in sin — could be forgiven and united with God. He groaned under the burden, the weight of sin, but He didn’t flinch. He determined to pay the price and redeem all those who believe in Him. So that we don’t have to hide He said,

My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will. (Matthew 26:38)

Jesus got up early, Himself, to pray (Mark 1:35). I love His divinity and His humanity! He wanted to walk in companionship with God. He had no need to hide. And yet, another morning, He got up early to make breakfast for His disciples (John 21:9). He understands our humanity and I think He understands things like sleepless nights and busy mornings.

And yet — because Christ came and died and rose and not only redeemed us from sin, but united us with God — we can walk with Him in companionship.

Our devotions can be like a walk in a garden — a time of refreshment, a time of kindred spirits meeting and talking, a time of beauty and rest and celebrating the fact that we don’t have to fuss and hide.

All we have to do is be there and reach out to God through Christ.

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
Elisabeth Allen

Elisabeth Allen

A scribbler from England who loves God and people, life and beauty ... and hope! What's better than hope - wonderful as it is! - is discovering and sharing it with others in words and pictures.
Elisabeth Allen

Latest posts by Elisabeth Allen (see all)

  • Praying for Your Future Husband - May 13, 2017
  • Do You Pray for Him? - May 11, 2017
  • what to do with your mother’s heart when you have no child of your own - November 10, 2016
  • Inspiring Stories of Women of Faith - August 24, 2016
  • Inspiring Women of Faith from History - August 22, 2016
Elisabeth Allen
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

Inspirational, Worship · September 29, 2014 · 4 Comments

You may also enjoy...

  • Why God is On My Checklist (and I don’t feel bad about it)Why God is On My Checklist (and I don’t feel bad about it)
  • Devotionals for Busy MomsDevotionals for Busy Moms
  • benefits of cross-generational Bible studybenefits of cross-generational Bible study
  • A Year With AslanA Year With Aslan
Previous Post: « I Need Thee Every Hour: A Vision for Devotions in Changing Seasons
Next Post: Beginning the Adventure of Grace »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Comments

  1. Callie MitchellCallie Mitchell says . . .

    October 2, 2014 at 6:19 am

    Oh this is so lovely, so gospel centered, and so powerful! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. AvatarCandice Williams says . . .

    September 30, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    It sounds cliche, but this is exactly what I needed to read today. It’s a wonderful, refreshing reminder of devotions can be! Thanks for the great post!

    Reply
  3. AvatarJessiqua Wittman says . . .

    September 29, 2014 at 11:55 am

    I read the title of this post and I immediately thought, “That will be by Elisabeth Allen! Refreshing and gentle words.”
    Sure enough. You’re sharing quiet kindness with us yet again. This post is beautiful. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Elisabeth AllenElisabeth Allen says . . .

      September 30, 2014 at 2:24 am

      Thank you for your kind words, sweet Jessiqua, they lifted my heart this morning. <3

      Reply

Join the Conversation Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

subscribe without commenting

Primary Sidebar

Elisabeth Allen

Elisabeth Allen

A scribbler from England who loves God and people, life and beauty ... and hope! What's better than hope - wonderful as it is! - is discovering and sharing it with others in words and pictures.

read more posts

Courage, dear heart; God is writing your story. He created you. He is the One Who gives you identity.

In Him, there is hope. There is freedom. There is grace.

Recent Posts

How to Find Freedom from Guilt and Shame

Ever After: The Best Fairy-Tale Retellings for Christian Readers

For the Person Walking Through a Long, Hard Season

Sponsored Links

Footer

Popular Posts

  • Ever After: The Best Fairy-Tale Retellings for Christian Readers
  • For the Person Walking Through a Long, Hard Season
  • How to Build Things That Last: Truths From Elisabeth Elliot’s Books
  • Glorifying God in This Good Body
  • 6 Questions to Ask Before You Define the Relationship

In-Laws Loss Friendship Mentoring

What is grace?

We'd love to tell you a story... We believe there is no room for self-righteousness or for self-condemnation in hearts that have been given life by His transforming love.

He walked straight into a story of brokenness and pain. For us. And grace is the ability to fellowship again. Read more...

Join the Community

Books by Kindred Grace Authors

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help support Kindred Grace.
About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact
Copyright © 2021 Kindred Grace · All Rights Reserved
Photography & Graphic Design by JenniMarie · Site by Gretchen Louise

We use cookies to provide you with a more personalized experience during your visit to Kindred Grace. OkayLearn More