Back to the Garden
August 14, 2020
Want to know how to pray for and reach Muslims? Worship Jesus. Ministry begins with knowing Him.
As followers of Jesus, we have the awesome opportunity of serving God out of love for Him because we know He loved us first. There’s a story about Abraham Lincoln buying a slave only to set her free. Her response was to say she wanted to remain as his servant because he had given her freedom. I had an experience once when Jesus set me free from a deception that was tormenting me. I was reminded of a requirement of the Mosaic law about setting Hebrew slaves free after six years: “But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master…I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever” (Ex 21:6-7). Immediately, I went out and got my ears pierced (in a shop, not at the doorpost!) in gratitude for being set free.
Humankind broke relationship with God in the Garden, choosing – so we thought – to be our own masters. But because our God is The Redeemer, we can go back to the Garden to restore relationship. Relationship with the Lord is the only thing of value we have to offer Muslims, but we can’t offer what we do not ourselves have. When we make the choice to take time in His presence, we touch His heart. He longs for us to get to know Him better. Compliment Him for who He is. Be specific – after all, He is a Personality. Thank Him for specific things He’s done, is doing and will do. Be silent and soak in His peace, listening for the still small voice. Ask where you should invest your time and effort. Let Him send you out from His presence on His mission.
Here is a song I wrote (2007) based on Song of Songs 4:12-16 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. See if these words help you experience the Garden with Jesus the King.
I AM A GARDEN
I am a garden for You
A place where desire comes true
Where colors and fragrances
Play in Your presence
Delighting Your senses and
Banishing all of Your blues
I am a garden for You
I am a fountain that’s sealed
Till You move the stone to reveal
I’m waiting expectantly
Certain You’ll come to me
Both of us thirsty
To drink from each other’s deep well
I am a fountain unsealed
I am the friend whom You send
From our hideaway eager to spend
Your love on the lonely ones
Binding the broken ones
Healing the wounded and
Living for love till the end
I am the friend whom You send
I am the lover You trust
Your handmaiden bearing The Gift –
Invite those who haven’t yet
Known of the treasure
That waits in the garden
Where Jesus, the King, is at rest
I am the lover You trust
May I be worthy Lord of Your high calling
By Your power, pray, fulfill Your purposes in me
May everything I do glorify Jesus
Every act of faith bring praise to Your lovely Name