We have a hymn we sing in church that is typically sung when we invite people into Christian fellowship. The opening verse says,

I come to the Garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

The refrain says,

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.

Words and tune: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946, Copyright 1912 by Hall-Mack Co., renewed 1940 by the Rodeheaver Co. ( A Div. of WORD, INC.), as printed in the African Methodist Episcopal Hymnal, Hymn #452, Nashville Tn

When we sing this hymn, I can envision being in a peaceful garden alone with Jesus, who is sitting or walking alongside me, listening intently to all my concerns and then providing insight and guidance on how to move forward. It brings to mind that in Christ we have a unique and intimate fellowship in the Spirit that is completely peaceful.

Dew in the Bible is symbolic of both the sustaining power of God in creation and His mercy. The Psalmist draws a comparison of unity among believers as being like dew that is so abundant that it drizzles down the mountain side and produces abundant growth. In Hosea 14:5 God declares in his call for repentance that He will be as dew that causes the redeemed to flourish and grow. The indication in both texts is that fellowship with God produces a life that causes both personal growth and growth in communities.

When I see dew drops on rose petals or feel the dampness on my feet on dew-covered grass, the word refreshing immediately comes to mind. In light of the texts above, it seems to me that as a child of God, a believer, my life should be like a refreshing dew on a dry and thirsty world. My words and actions should produce a thriving atmosphere in which God’s love is self-evident. I recognize that I am unable to do this on my own, but I must have a regular and consistent pattern of fellowship with my Lord and Savior. This happens when I meet Him in prayer, when I meditate on His word, listen for His guiding Spirit and celebrate His awesome power, grace and mercy.

Lord, help me each day to live in a manner that exemplifies refreshing dew in the morning, to speak in a way that will provide abundance to others, to love others where they are just as You have loved me when I was most un-loveable. Please do not fail to meet me in Your garden of prayer so that I may continually have fellowship with You, be guided by Your Holy Spirit and that I may be refreshed as I strive to refresh others. Amen.