Monday, June 18, 2007

MEDITATE

Meditation
What do you automatically think of when you hear the word "meditation"?
In my experience, more often than not, when the word "meditation is mentioned there is an almost automatic frown that comes across the face. The reasons why are, I'm sure, as varied as are the individuals. The most common is its associate with "The New Age Movement". And the last thing any born-again believer wants to be associated with is something as extreme as new age.

I think it's time that we reclaim the word and make it our own in thought and in practice.
Let's begin with the definition - simply put, meditation is:
1. the act of meditating
2. continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation 3. devout religious contemplation or spiritual introspection 4. a devotional exercise of or leading to contemplation1

Let's take one further step and define contemplation. The act of contemplating is:
1. full or deep consideration; reflection 2. thoughtful observation or study 3. a long and thoughtful observation 4. a calm, lengthy, intent consideration So, what shall we say then? As believers in Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we are blessed with the awesomeness of God's written, inspired Word; the most scared Book of books. We have in our midst something worthy of deep consideration, contemplation, observation and continued reflection.

I think it's safe to say that meditation is far above and beyond the redundant and ridiculous contemplation of one's naval. In addition it's something every one of us could begin to practice today and discover a type of devotion to God that our souls have longed for. Can I get an Amen!

To be sure, mediation is not something that is unmentioned in Scripture. If I read and discern correctly, it is something that was indeed common. Check out the following Scripture:
Psalms 19:14: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."
Psalms 119:97, 99: "O how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation."
Psalms 1:1-2: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night."
Oh, I love this one:
Joshua 1:8a: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it...Stephanie

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