Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week.  Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here. 

Excerpts from “In the Garden” by
Charles A. Miles

“I come to the garden
alone.” There are times I just
need to be alone. It does not mean I am irritated with the people around me,
upset about my current conditions, or even angry at what the world has thrown
my way. Sometimes, I just need the quiet, the stillness, and the peace that comes
from being alone. And as I heard this song the other day, it made me realize
that the outdoors is my favorite place to be alone.

So, I often head
outside and spend time in our yard. I find solace in watering the grass, mowing
the lawn, and picking the weeds. I find strength in trimming the bushes,
shaping the trees, and cutting the edges. And I find rest in watching the
birds, lounging in my favorite chair, and breathing in that mountain air. Yes,
there is something healing in the beauty that surrounds our humble abode, but
as I listened to the lyrics of this beautiful hymn, I realized that these
precious gifts were never about being alone.

“And He walks with me,
and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.”

When I am outside, without the distractions of
my phone, my computer, and my television, I become open to what Jesus wants to
show me. As the water quenches the thirst of the lawn, I feel the cool mist
that sprays back at me, I see the rainbows that dance in the spray, and I see
the shimmer of those droplets as they begin to work their way into the grass. I
see the butterflies that enjoy the flowers, I see the birds that enjoy the
trees, and I see the squirrels that run the fence line. And most of all, I feel
His presence as He slows my world down and makes me appreciate the simple
things in life.

You see, I think that
being alone in the garden is what heals my anxiety and erases the pressure. But
what truly happens, is that Jesus walks with me, talks with me, and reminds me
that I am His own. He spends time with me in the garden, he opens my eyes to
the beauty around me, and he softens my heart, so I am ready to be accepting,
forgiving, and loving to those around me. It is a precious time to be with
Jesus, and I feel like I never want to leave His garden.

“I’d stay in the
garden with Him, though the night around me be falling, but He bids me go;
through the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling.” 

My time in the garden is precious, and
although I want to be walking and talking with Jesus forever, he blesses me,
bids me goodbye, and sends me out. He shows me the path that leaves His garden,
and after seeing the beauty He surrounds me with, the journey becomes clear. My
time on Earth is short, the people I love will one day be gone, and my mission
must be fulfilled. So, I take His hand, I leave the garden, and I allow Him to
lead the way. I listen to those He surrounds me with, I enjoy the beauty He
bestows upon me, and I help Him brings others closer to knowing His love.

My friends, it is okay
to spend time alone. It is necessary to slow down so you are open to what Jesus
wants to show you. And walking with Him and talking with Him, will help you
understand what He wants you to do with your life. Enter the garden, breathe in
all the beauty Jesus will bless you with, and leave with the understanding
there is a lot of work to be done. You may come to the garden alone, but you
will leave knowing that others need to hear those words He spoke to you, they
need to walk the path He has created for them, and they need to feel the love
that only He can provide. Invite others to the garden, so they can experience “the joy we share as we tarry there,
none other has ever known!”