“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27
We often turn to music to express our faith and to find comfort and a faithful reminder we need in the difficult times of life. Music allows us to remember our faith and find comfort in the presence of God. One of the most popular hymns that remind us of the closeness of God is In the Garden by C. Austin Miles.
In the Garden was written by Miles while he was taking time, during a busy day, to read his Bible and pray. While studying, Miles was overcome with a vision of being in the garden on that wonderful Easter day when Jesus rose from the grave. Miles felt comforted by this vision as he realized that Jesus was not only present to the people in garden over 2000 years ago, but he is still with us today.
The resurrection of Jesus, God’s ongoing presence in our world, gives us comfort amid trials, worry, and fear. We turn to Jesus who offers us himself. Jesus is the gift that allows us to know that we are not alone. As we draw close to Jesus, he gives us peace and comfort.
C. Austin Miles understood the gift of God’s comforting presence. In an interview, he stated, “It is the daily companionship with the Lord that makes up the Christian’s life.” Although the resurrection of Jesus was over 2000 years ago, we still have the gift of being in His presence.
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
