Does anyone else lay in bed after your alarm goes off and think about what you need to get accomplished that day? On a typical morning I’ll lay there and think through my day. Get up, get dressed, take kids to school, work on articles, prepare for bible classes, finish preparations for up coming sermons, study the Bible with a candidate for baptism, visit with people who need encouragement, make a few phone calls to make contact with our visitors. You know just the typical things that need to be done in ministry.
The only problem with this is that I struggle with making time for myself in my own meditation. If you’re like me I get caught up in the whirlwind of the daily tasks and forget about meditating for me. I can only imagine that I am not alone. You too probably struggle with taking the time to just think about it. Instead of laying in bed planning my day I need to be mediating on God’s will for me and other things of the spiritual nature.
Meditation is a biblical discipline and one that we need to bring back into practice in Christianity. If you’ve mastered it then be patient with the rest of us as we catch up. But for most of us I believe we can do better.
David sings,
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
~ Psalm 1:1-2 ~
David prays,
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The LORD hears when I call to Him.
Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.
~ Psalm 4:3-4 ~
David asks,
Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.
~ Psalm 27:3-4 ~
David proclaims,
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.
~ Psalm 119:9-16 ~
Next time you begin to list out in your head all the things you need to do stop for a moment and self meditate. Self meditate in song; self meditate with prayer; self meditate with questions, self meditate proclaiming your plan.
Father in heaven,
Help us to be people who look forward to the time we can self meditate as we concentrate on You and the plans You have for us. May Your will always be done. Help us to sing and pray. Encourage us to ask questions, and proclaim to You how we want our plans to be in line with Your Word.
The the name of Jesus,
AMEN!
God loves you and so do I,
Alexander Mills