Passion's Origin

an invitation to Love

You walk in the garden  
You have planted in my heart.  
Prostrate, leaves give way  
beneath Your Feet.

You walk in the garden,  
beyond the gates which part;
leading to the Place  
Where Lovers Meet.

You walk in the garden,
the trees bow as You pass.  
The tender breeze caresses  
Your Dear Cheek.

You walk in the garden,
make Your bed in softest grass.  
In the stillness of my soul  
I feel You speak.

You walk in the garden,
the flowers sing Your praise!  
Their perfume, holiness  
upon the air.

You walk in the garden  
as I move through my days,  
and in the deep of night  
I feel You there.

You walk in the garden  
in warmth of streaming sun,  
casting out the ache  
of icy fear.

You walk in the garden,  
and I am fast undone  
by Your Beauty and Your Power  
drawing near.

You walk in the garden  
Where Precious Truth is told.  
Your Words are Nectar, sweet  
upon Your Tongue.

You walk in the garden, 
I am enlightened and ensouled;  
enchanted by the Love Song  
You have sung.

You walk in the garden  
I carry in my breast,  
and bid me come and join You  
There Within.

We walk in the garden,  
culmination of the Quest.
Reunited with my Passion’s Origin.

      This song of passionate praise, composed 20 years ago, arose from an experience of contemplation that was particularly beautiful and impactful. More than anything I have written, before or since, it expresses the Heart of my Experience of Christ. I deliberately avoid the term, "personal relationship with Jesus" here because, for me, that term carries connotations that are vastly different from that which I am conveying, and are associated with the effects of religious trauma I have grappled with for so long.

     As part of an intensification of spiritual and emotional healing in the last year, I have been slowly drawn through the thicket of hurt, anger and mistrust, and invited back into this garden, Where Lovers Meet. To be going through this process at this particular moment in World, American and church history is incredibly challenging. It is too easy to be distracted and discouraged by all the outer chaos and cruelty, especially the chaos and cruelty that dares speak and act in the name of any form of divinity. I am constantly having to recalibrate; to attune and attend to the Call of Unfailing Love. That still, small voice within refuses to compete with the cacophony without. It's crucial, especially in such a time as this, to cultivate rest; stillness, steadiness, quiet attentiveness to Love; deep listening and attunement to Goodness; to that which is beautiful, true and lasting. The needful thing, the better part. 

    I share this song today as an invitation into the garden of your own heart; to rest, refresh, and reconnect with the Unfailing Love Who holds and heals,  gathers and fulfills All. The breath of the cry of Justice begins in the passionate whisper of Love. 

Deepest Peace, Love and All Goodness,
~Cheryl Anne