In this week’s Monday Minute, Muriel shares with us how the discipline of meditation is for Christians, too. As military women we understand the power of discipline, so why do we bristle at the mention of meditation?
The Sound of Silence
by Muriel Gregory
On all military installations around the world, sailors, airmen, marines, and soldiers can be seen doing PT. This physical discipline is an integral part of military service. If you live on base/post, you can hear the cadence as they run by. We understand the importance of discipline. It fosters growth and preparedness.
Truth be told, most of us are reluctant to practice spiritual disciplines. The concepts seem outdated. Practices of an ancient era no longer relevant in our 21st-century world. Even though we understand discipline…
Meditation is one of those practices.
Wikipedia defines meditation as “a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.” We often picture Hindu or Buddhist monks practicing it.
However, meditation is for Christians, too.
It offers us the same benefits as eastern meditation with the added bonus of a deeper connection to God and an awareness of his presence. Richard Foster writes that two Hebrew words are used to describe meditation in the Old Testament. He goes on to say, “these words have various meanings: listening to God’s Word, reflecting on God’s works, rehearsing God’s deeds, ruminating on God’s law, and more. In each case there is stress upon changed behavior as a result of our encounter with the living God.”
Joshua was advised to meditate on the law day and night. Day and night? I have a uniform to get ready for inspection, cupcakes to bake for the FRG meeting, and housing to scout for our upcoming PCS. And that doesn’t even take into account the emails I need to answer or an update to my Instagram account. Who has time to meditate?
Is the problem a lack of time or the culture I live in?
Kevin McSpadden, in an article cleverly titled You Now Have a Shorter Attention Span Than a Goldfish, claims that 77% of us will reach for our phone when nothing is occupying our attention. Maybe we could instead meditate?
A recent study has concluded that the average person touches their phone 2,617 times a day. How would your life change if God touched your heart 2,617 times a day?
“Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the seat of scoffers;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on his law he meditates day and night,
He is like a tree
Planted by streams of water
That yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither,
In all that he does, he prospers.”
Psalm 1:1-3
This Psalm, which introduces the whole book of Psalms, describes a person who meditates on the Word of God. Such a person is considered wise. Such a person is also known to prosper. I do long for wisdom and prosperity sounds pretty neat, too.
Meditation forces me to focus on God by turning inward.
It invites me to stillness and quietness, away from the busyness of this world. I have often struggled in that place because the quiet brings forth emotions that can make me uncomfortable – sadness, anger, depression, loneliness. I can turn to my phone to escape, or I can allow God to speak truth and heal those tender spots.
“If we hope to move beyond the superficialities of our culture, including our religious culture, we must be willing to go down into the recreating silences, into the inner world of contemplation.”
Tremendous growth happens when we meditate on God, his character, his Word.
Nothing is more powerful than intimacy with him. I do want God to touch my heart 2,617 times a day.
How about you?
Move Out
Read: Read Jeremiah 20:9 and Luke 24:13-32
Reflect: What is the effect God’s Word had on Jeremiah and the disciples as they walk with Jesus on Emmaus road (Luke 4:32)? What obstacles keep you from making this a reality in your life?
Respond: Pick a verse or a passage of Scripture and meditate on it a few times this week. Allow God’s Word to “burn” within you. Make sure to journal your insights.
Prayer
Lord, I long to feel your presence. Help me be wise and help me prosper as I meditate on your Word and grow more aware of your presence. Amen.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation
- Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline, Special Anniversary Edition (p. 15). HarperOne. Kindle Edition.
- https://time.com/3858309/attention-spans-goldfish/
- https://www.networkworld.com/article/3092446/we-touch-our-phones-2617-times-a-day-says-study.html
- Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline, Special Anniversary Edition (p. 15). HarperOne. Kindle Edition.
