What a joy and privilege to hear from our guest Pastor Craig this Sunday as he shared about discerning the will of God in our lives.
I particularly appreciated the way he brought up the Garden of Gethsemane, and the anguish of Jesus that night. We have all heard of that infamous night where Jesus sweat drops of blood, but I personally never thought about the fact that this place was somewhere He visited often. Somewhere He came to be alone with the Father, regularly.
Like Pastor Craig mentioned, even Judas knew where Jesus would be in the moment of betrayal. It was Jesus’ pattern, His habit, His daily rhythm to get away with the Father in this secret place.
It made me pause and wonder…what is my secret place?
Where do I go to get away and be with the Father?
To tell you the truth, I have several of those places! Sometimes, it is waking up an hour before the kids and lighting a candle near my reading chair as I pray.
Other times, I talk to Him while driving, turning down the music as the car is quiet.
Or in the middle of the night, when I am left alone with my thoughts, I invite Him in to those dark spaces.
On walks I let my mind drift to Him and thank Him for the beauty of creation around me.
Each of these spaces have one thing in common - silence.
There is something particularly beautiful about appreciating silence in this busy distracted world, isn’t there? Taking time to put down the phone, turn down the music, or quiet the notifications and emails. Even if it’s just five minutes in His presence, that has the ability to truly refresh our souls.
Where is your garden?
Where do you go when life has broken you down and you just need a moment with your Father? Where do you run when you have a big decision to make and all you need is some wisdom from Him?
Let me encourage you friend to not be afraid of the silence, to not worry about what will happen if you are alone with your thoughts. But instead, embrace those moments with Him. It’s in those moments of silence that He speaks.
Like Psalm 27:8 says, “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds: ‘Lord, I am coming.’” (NLT)
If we never experience silence, we will miss that still small voice. Find a space and place to get way with your Father, be alone with Him and usher in that holy moment only He can give. Find your garden.
I particularly appreciated the way he brought up the Garden of Gethsemane, and the anguish of Jesus that night. We have all heard of that infamous night where Jesus sweat drops of blood, but I personally never thought about the fact that this place was somewhere He visited often. Somewhere He came to be alone with the Father, regularly.
Like Pastor Craig mentioned, even Judas knew where Jesus would be in the moment of betrayal. It was Jesus’ pattern, His habit, His daily rhythm to get away with the Father in this secret place.
It made me pause and wonder…what is my secret place?
Where do I go to get away and be with the Father?
To tell you the truth, I have several of those places! Sometimes, it is waking up an hour before the kids and lighting a candle near my reading chair as I pray.
Other times, I talk to Him while driving, turning down the music as the car is quiet.
Or in the middle of the night, when I am left alone with my thoughts, I invite Him in to those dark spaces.
On walks I let my mind drift to Him and thank Him for the beauty of creation around me.
Each of these spaces have one thing in common - silence.
There is something particularly beautiful about appreciating silence in this busy distracted world, isn’t there? Taking time to put down the phone, turn down the music, or quiet the notifications and emails. Even if it’s just five minutes in His presence, that has the ability to truly refresh our souls.
Where is your garden?
Where do you go when life has broken you down and you just need a moment with your Father? Where do you run when you have a big decision to make and all you need is some wisdom from Him?
Let me encourage you friend to not be afraid of the silence, to not worry about what will happen if you are alone with your thoughts. But instead, embrace those moments with Him. It’s in those moments of silence that He speaks.
Like Psalm 27:8 says, “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds: ‘Lord, I am coming.’” (NLT)
If we never experience silence, we will miss that still small voice. Find a space and place to get way with your Father, be alone with Him and usher in that holy moment only He can give. Find your garden.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.