Breathe In…Breathe Out
The busyness of our lives consists of distractions that appear fruitful, but they only stymie our spiritual growth. Our unceasingly wandering attention, usurps our focused attention; and, this causes us to miss out on intentional focused attention that is needed to mature. Paradoxically, the Bible teaches true growth comes through stillness. This trinity of stillness consists of quiet time in prayer, Bible reading, and meditation. True growth requires that one is placed in the cleft of stillness and solitude, while the Lord passes by and prunes the beloved. For when the body is still, only then can the soul exercise. What better way to still the body and mind and heart than through meditation? Groupthink has caused most Christians to believe that meditation is analogous to the idol of Baal. Most Christians, apprehensively, approach meditation as, “A mantra, or some other focusing technique, is used to help a person empty their mind in order that they might merge with the so-called cosmic consciousness. In this practice, the ambition is a loss of individuality, a fusing of the person with the divine, which Buddhists claim can be found in all of creation.”
For when the body is still, only then can the soul exercise.
In our invasive culture, suspicion is permissible. Oriental meditation, however, is antithetical to Christian meditation. The growing Christian must identify the differences, because one’s growth requires comprehension. Most Christians obdurately ignore the usefulness of meditation. The stream of understanding that is carved out by meditation is taken for granted. Therefore, understanding’s journey from our head to our heart dries up before it reaches its destination.
Our God teaches us that understanding is something which we must strive for. Biblical meditation is the means by which we understand what we read.Thomas Watson describes meditation as, “A holy exercise of the mind whereby we bring the truths of God to remembrance, and do seriously ponder upon them and apply them to ourselves. Watson’s point is that meditation is filled with praxis, not theory. Meditation is like God’s love, it must be lived out, not merely discussed. As Steve Midgley puts it, “Meditation ensures the content of the Bible makes its impact not just upon the mind but also upon the heart and will. Truth that has been carefully uncovered in God’s Word journeys downwards, into the heart in order that it can take root deeply and richly.” Meditation helps the Christian bask in the light of the Word. Edmund Calamy eloquently puts it, “The meditation of holy and heavenly things is a work that God requires at the hands of all people. [The] God that requires you to pray, requires you to meditate as well as pray. Yet, there are few Christians who believe this doctrine, that God [who] requires you to hear sermons... requires you to meditate on the sermons you hear.”
Biblical meditation is the means by which we understand what we read.
The fruit of meditation is locked behind the glass of confusion. How do you Biblically meditate? In order to Biblically meditate you must remember the goal. The first goal is to remember meditation involves focusing intensely on: fixing, forcing, and ordering our thoughts. Second, you must remember, meditation must affect our own hearts and souls. We should be so impacted with the truth of God’s Word that we are changed. Lastly, and most importantly, you must remember the stark dichotomy between meditation and Bible study. Bible study aims to rest in one’s mind, for it increases one’s knowledge. Whereas, meditation seeks to rest in one’s heart. It is meant to change the way we view ourselves, others, and God. Inexorably, if one’s perspective is changed, their actions will have no choice but to follow; and, when you start to look in the mirror in the morning, you’ll no longer see yourself, but the handsome face of our Lord.
Meditation is the stream that delivers truth from our heads into the dry places of our heart.
Those who know better should do better, for the knowledge we learn is a prerequisite to righteous praxis. Following Jesus requires that one walks. Following Jesus is more than knowing where He is, but, it is about doing everything you can, to get to where He is. Again, meditation is the stream that delivers truth from our heads into the dry places of our heart. Meditation is like basking in the sun. Allow His words to rest in your mind as the sun does upon your skin. True growth awaits, therefore, take a deep breath and may your mind meditate on that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.
(References available upon request.)
“I dwell in peace in the midst of lions. ”
