Disciplines: Meditation

Is your world filled with noise, busyness, and stress?  You are not alone.  Most of our lives are lived at a frantic pace.  Scripture has revealed to us that maybe we should slow down for a bit and discover God in the deafening sound of silence. Elijah heard from God in the still, small voice.  Below you will find a few practical applications to use in the practice of Christian Meditation.  

1. "Hearing and Obeying"

Richard Foster says in his book The Celebration of Discipline "Christian Meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God's voice and obey his word. It is that simple."  If it was really that simple why am I not good at it? Why doesn't it come naturally?  Today, find a few moments (strive for five minutes) to sit and enjoy the presence of the Lord.  Simply be. Psalm 46:10.

2. A Heart Verse

Do you have a favorite verse? Can you recite it? If so today find a few more moments to reflect on that verse.  Don't think about the original language or the context in which it was written.  Let the verse ruminate in your head and feel it flow down to your soul as truth.  Let it rest there as God does the work of imprinting it on your heart.  If you need a prompt, let Galatians 2:20 heart.

3. Time and Place

Have you asked the questions, "When and Where should I meditate?" In a perfect situation we would find ourselves meditating and communing with God constantly during every aspect of our day.  However, whose life is perfect? So finding moments and being diligent in protecting those times can add in the slowing down of our lives so that we can learn what it means to have a moment of inner silence.  As for a place, any where will do.  It would be helpful if it was free of distraction and not somewhere often associated with stress or negative emotions.  Find your when and where today.  There are no wrong answers. Genesis 24:63 (Issac meditated in the evening, in a field)

4. Posture

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When I hear the word Meditation often what pops into my head is Rafiki from The Lion King.  Do I have to sit like that to connect to God? No.  Scripture has a lot of different references about postures for praying and worshiping.  It could be standing, kneeling, laying prostrate on the floor.  So far in your times of contemplation have you had a certain posture? I have one for you to try.  Start by sitting in a straight backed chair with your feet on the floor and your hands resting on your knees.  As your body relaxes turn your hands so your palms are facing upward. This puts your body into a posture of receiving. The whole intent is turn your attention to Christ.  Foster says "regardless of how it is done, the aim is to center the attention of the body, the emotions, the mind, and the spirit upon "the glory of God in the face of Christ" 2 Corinthians 4:6" 

5. Mt. Everest of the soul.

Shouldn't this be getting easier by now?  Mediation is not something that you will instantly be able to accomplish.  It takes practice.  It takes persistence.  It takes patience.  "There is a progression in the spiritual life, and it is wise to have some experience with lesser peaks before trying to tackle the Mt. Everest of the soul." (Foster, Celebration of Discipline) Keep going.  Try again today.  Find a time, a space and a posture to hear from the Lord.  Jeremiah 20:9