I have been asked to blog about meditation. The word "meditation" can conjure up all kinds of images, emotions, and defenses. However, the practice of meditation is quite simple and quite biblical. David meditated on God's law day and night. Elijah listened for God's still small voice. Even Jesus withdrew from everything and everyone to get alone with His Father.
In a crazy and harried world that seems to never slow down, detachment and Sabbath are vital. Our minds need to be at peace. However, meditation is not just about detachment from the world. That is more the premise of Eastern meditation. (In my best low meditative tone- Hummmmmm) Biblical meditation goes beyond detachment to attachment to our Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It is a place where our relationship goes deeper and our connection stronger.
Time spent alone with someone is relatively important in getting to know them. In the dating process, couples spend time alone to grow in intimacy and establish a love that is beyond infatuation. This takes time. Not many people decide to get married after the first date, or get engaged after a couple dates. There are exceptions to this of course (Mike and Patsy), but to establish a foundation that will stand through sickness and health, better and worse, richer and poorer, an intimacy must be formed and that takes intentional time together.
The same is true with meditation. The driving motive behind meditation can not be duty or obligation. That doesn't lead to love. That leads to slavery. The motive is love, desire for intimacy, wanting to know our God deeper and better. To learn to recognize his voice and stay in a place of praying without ceasing. To hear and obey. To walk and talk with Jesus. This can be a reality, but this type of relationship takes time to form.
I can't teach you how to meditate, but I can tell you that it won't be natural or easy at first. To find quiet anywhere, especially in our souls, is a challenge. But if you will work at this, it will become a lifeline for you. To detach from the craziness and unrest of the world and attach to Jesus is a great tool to have an abundant and victorious life.
I would like to challenge you to set aside time every day and go to the same physical place with your Bible and meditate. This is not a time to read large portions of Scripture. Read something and dwell on it. Let it get into you. Write it on a 3 x 5 card. Keep it with you. Ask Father what He wants to show you in that passage, or parable, or word. Then wait. Listen. Write down what He is saying. Put your name in the passage. Make the Word personal to you.
The passage this week we are moving on is a great place to start. Joshua 1:8-9 is the perfect "proff text" for meditation. Take time to let it get in you. Here is an example of how to make it personal to you:
Amanda, study this Book of Instruction continually. (wait. listen.) Amanda, meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. (wait. listen. stop there if you need to. that's a lot to take in.) Only then will I prosper and succeed in all I do. (wow. wait. listen.)
I am going to stop at verse 8. The challenge this week is to meditate on these verses every day. Find time alone in a quiet place and allow Father to speak to YOU through His Word.
Blessings!
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