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And the L ORD God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

GENESIS 2:15 KJV

A dam experienced something that no other man or woman (not even Eve) on the face of the earth has ever experienced. He had the incredible privilege of having God all to himself. In the beginning it was just him and God. Though Jesus and the Holy Ghost were present, the mystery of their Oneness was very evident. Every evening they had a date, and Adam had Gods full attention. No interruptions in the prayer line. No one with a more urgent request. Just Adam and God.

Can you imagine such a sublime existence? To rise each morning and watch the sun stretch its arms across the sky in praise to God on Highto watch the flowers awaken, tilting their faces in serene worship toward their Creator while the rivers that run through the garden play a symphony of exuberant celebration against the banks of the shore and the birds sing their accompaniment, welcoming the morning and thanking God for another glorious day. No telephone ringing, no alarm going off, no social media notifications, just the gentle breeze ever so gently rousing you, stirring your lashes, tickling your nose, almost kissing you, beckoning you to arise. This was Adams world. He rose to walk on a dew-covered carpet of grass, its pungent freshness filling the air with each step. Joyfully going about his tasks, anticipating his favorite time of the day.

And just about the time Adam thought he would burst with expectation, it happened. The atmosphere in the garden changed. The animals stood still, ears tuned to something that no one saw. The birds stopped singing, waiting for a sound that was sweeter than their own. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath. And the sun came down for a closer look, leaving golden streaks across the sky to mark its place. Then the air was filled with the incense of the Lords presence! The Lord God Himself had descended to the garden to walk and talk, face-to-face, with Adam. Nothing stood between them, for Adam was naked and unashamed. Perfect and good in every way. An extension of his Abba Father. A mirror reflection of the Trinity, spirit, soul, and body, unstained by sin.

It wasindescribable glory, this time of sweet communing. Every living thing in the garden seemed to be in a suspended state of reverent awe, clinging to Gods every word. His still, small voice was like music. It was like the sound of falling rain, the sound of many waters, the ebbing of the tide. It rose and fell as He shared all that He was with Adam. Gods words ignited Adams soul and brought waves of refreshment to his spirit while Adams worship of Him brought pleasure to His heart. It was a time of intimate fellowshipof deep communionof unspeakable expressions and wordless impartations between man and his God. And then God withdrew with the promise of returning, His presence still lingering in the air like heady perfume.

Ah, to find our way back to the gardenThis is the place in the cool of the evening of our lives when we finally grow still, finding our way back home. Back into the presence of God. Able once again to be open, vulnerable, honest, and uninhibited in the arms of the One who loves us most. To shut out the sound of every other voice and just listen, drinking in His Spirit. It is here that the world and all of its pressures and struggles become mere shadows that fade away as His comfort surrounds us. This is where we find peace, where we find refreshment. More importantly, this is where we find the center of our own being. This is where we find the strength to begin again.

Heavenly Father, help me to find my way back to our place of intimacy. It seems I dont visit this place enough. And yet when I finally meet You here, I wonder why it took me so long. Holy Spirit, call me and draw me to this place until my flesh rejoices to yield and enter into this sweet sanctuary of fellowship with You that my soul treasures. O Lord, help me to be as consistent in seeking You as You are in seeking me. Help me to keep ever fresh in my mind the joy of our last meeting, and never to lose the longing for more of You. In Jesus name, amen.

When was the last time you spent quality time alone with God having a real heart-to-heart exchange with Him? What would you like to share with Him now?

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

GENESIS 5:24 KJV

H es out again, is he? the visitor asked. Enochs wife nodded her head in reply as she stirred the evening meal over the fire. Where is it exactly that he goes? questioned his friend, brows drawn together in perplexed punctuation. This was the third time he had tried to visit Enoch this week, only to find that he was nowhere to be found. Wherever their conversation takes him, Enochs wife serenely answered. She had grown used to these times. They did not frighten or disturb her. She only had to look into Enochs eyes when he returned to know where he had been. Sometimes he was gone for an hour. Sometimes for days. And when he returned, his body weary but his eyes gleaming with a brilliant fire that burned from within, she knew he had been with God.

What they discussed she could only imagine. She herself tried to understand how it was possible for man and God to commune on such an intimate level. She tried to worship Him in the best way she knew, but she really couldnt say that God had ever spoken back. Enoch said it was because she didnt truly listen. She tried to listen, yet she heard nothing. She had grown beyond being jealous of her husbands deep, personal exchanges with God, choosing instead to let him share with her parts of their conversations. And, oh! What incredible things they were! Stories of what was to come. At first Enoch would eagerly tell these things to anyone who would listen. But many of these revelations were too deep, too awesome to be understood by those simply trying to keep up with their daily agenda of eking out a living for themselves. So more and more Enoch withdrew to his walks with God. He still returned with that same intense light burning in his eyes, but these days he also seemed increasingly pensive, as if his spirit were deeply pondering something profound and unspeakable. This she could respect.

Amazingly, no one ridiculed Enoch. Rather, they respectfully conceded that he truly was a man who sought God diligently. All who knew him admired this, and even promised themselves that they, too, would draw closer to God as soon as they got a little extra time on their hands. It was obvious that Enoch pleased God; he was blessed above and beyond measure. No one in their right mind would ever guess that he was three hundred and sixty-five years old. Why, he didnt look a day over one hundred and he was still having children! It was as if Enochs conversations with God renewed his strength like the eagles. He was always so full of energy. But what could they possibly find to talk about for hourssometimes dayson end? Though many speculated, no one volunteered to accompany Enoch as he set off to fellowship with the Lord. It would have been almost impolite to do so, a most unwelcome intrusion. Yet countless eyes followed Enoch as he walked to his place of solitude to be withHim.