Time of Meditation: Week of October 3
What?
Several days this week, meditate on a passage of Scripture for 10-15 minutes.
Why?
Many ideas, stories, people, and experiences capture our minds and imaginations, promising us joy, fulfillment, identity, and more. Because these promises are not founded on infinite love and faithfulness and truth, they will inevitably disappoint us and leave us lost and confused. But God is, in fact, infinitely loving and faithful, and his promises are “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Heb 6:19). By filling our minds with his Word, his promises seep into our imaginations and hearts so that we long for and are satisfied in the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
How?
Most will find it helpful first to set a specific time to spend in meditation. Then, pick one passage to meditate on throughout the week, or pick a number of passages. If you don’t know where to begin, take a look at the TPC Daily Reading plan. If you read all the selections on a given day, set apart some time to meditate on a smaller passage within that day’s readings. The idea here is not simply to read but to chew on and digest and be filled with God’s Word.
(Notice the difference between Eastern meditation and biblical meditation. In Eastern meditation, one attempts to center oneself or empty one’s mind. In biblical meditation, one fills one’s mind with the truth of Scripture.)
If you’ve never practiced biblical meditation, here are some tips:
Read the passage slowly.
As you read, pay attention to the various aspects of the passage. What is God doing? What role does his Anointed One play? How are the effects of sin being undone? What does God reveal about a restored universe? How do his people respond? You may want to reread the passage multiple times.
Allow your imagination to swim in the passage or even a few verses. Make its descriptions and images come to life. Really place yourself into the passage as far as possible.
Take account of the ways in which the passage interacts with you. Does it challenge your thinking, cause you to worship or wonder, convict you of sin? Process these things, and turn your thoughts and feelings into prayer.
If you find that your mind wanders, do not worry about it. Simply acknowledge that your mind has wandered then turn back to filling your mind with truth.
