What is Christian Meditation?

Have you ever watched videos of children today trying to use a rotary phone? They can be quite comical. It's interesting how something that was once so widely used and understood can be obsolete today.  When I was a kid, pay phones were everywhere, but now that we live in the mobile phone era, we rarely, if ever, see them. Similarly, there are many things in Christianity that were widely practiced and talked about that are now unknown. Christian meditation is one of those. Personally, I have never heard a sermon on Christian meditation, nor can I ever remember hearing it discussed in Bible college.

We live in a world that is filled with noise and distractions, constantly clamoring for our attention. And it seems that living in the onslaught of chaos we have lost one of the most powerful spiritual disciplines available to us: Christian meditation. Please understand, I'm not talking about some kind of meditation where you empty your mind and connect with the “universe.” No, Christian meditation is a discipline of diving deeply into God's Word, allowing it to permeate your heart, and drawing you into a closer, deeper, more intimate relationship with God. Let's take a minute and breakdown what Christian meditation really is.

Focused Kingdom Thinking

"I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways." - Psalm 119:15 CSB

In biblical theology, the word meditation implies intensity, a focused gathering of thoughts. Many times, when we read the Bible, we struggle to focus our thoughts on the Kingdom of God and how what we are reading applies to our lives. We hurriedly race through our Bible reading, like kids rushing around on a school playground.  

Early Christians were passionate about meditating on God's word. They were diligent about getting their minds right through prayer and being in an optimal location for them to tune in and hear what God was saying. They would read slowly and contemplatively, with long pauses to think over every truth they were taking in. They wouldn't just quickly skim over the Bible. They were diving in deep and allowing the realities of God's grace, love, and sovereignty to fully envelope every aspect of their hearts, souls, and minds.

Life Transformation: From Mind to Heart

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." - Psalm 1:2 CSB

Here we find one of the most crucial aspects of Christian meditation. It's easy to confuse Christian meditation with Bible study by seeing them as the same when, in fact, they differ in profound ways. When you study the Bible, you engage your intellect; it's a function of your brain. But in meditation, you're engaging your heart. 

This is more than just obtaining knowledge; it's about experiencing life transformation. The objective of study is to discover truths or formulate theological concepts. The purpose of meditation is the spiritual application and internalization of a biblical truth. This is not about finding the vein of gold; it's about extracting that gold and letting it enrich your life.

The Detoxifying Power of Meditation

"May my meditation be pleasing to him; I will rejoice in the Lord." - Psalm 104:34 CSB

You live in a toxic world that is continuously contaminating your heart and mind with corruption. You need spiritual detoxification. Meditating on the Scriptures can have a purifying effect on your heart and mind. Like stepping into a healing bath, meditation can allow the Word of God to wash over your heart and mind with its revitalizing, restoring power to cleans you from the toxins of this world. 

Meditating on the Bible isn't just some abstract exercise; it's a transformative experience that heals the soul’s earthliness and deadness. Just like on a cold winter’s morning, the sun breaks through, bringing warmth and life. Meditating on God's Word can melt a frozen heart, bringing life and warmth.

Getting Back to Meditative Living

In our Christian culture today, we've lost something significant by abandoning the discipline of Christian meditation. It's as if we've missed an opportunity to encounter God in a way that not only informs but transforms, and that not only enlightens the mind but also inflames the heart. Friends, it's time for us to reclaim this important discipline. I encourage you today to commit to more than just reading the Bible; consider moving into a deeper, more meaningful level of Bible intake.

Consider giving this a try and allowing the Holy Scriptures to permeate your thoughts and captivate your heart. You might just find in this new method that your soul is much more resilient and stronger as the detoxifying power of the Word of God is cleansing you in a whole new way. So go ahead, find a quiet space, open your Bible, and begin a totally new journey of diving deeper into the Word of God.

Checklist for and engage in meaningful Bible meditation:

Preparation Phase

·      Pray for Guidance: Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your time of meditation.

·      Choose a Location: Find a quiet and comfortable spot where you won’t be easily distracted.

·      Block Off Time: Set aside a specific time for meditation; make sure it's uninterrupted.

·      Gather Resources: Have your Bible, a notebook, and a pen ready.

Selection Phase

·      Select a Passage: Choose a specific verse or set of verses that you want to meditate on. It's often beneficial to start with smaller passages.

·      Context Check: Quickly review the surrounding context of the selected scripture to understand its intended meaning better.

·      Initial Reading: Read the passage aloud slowly, taking note of any words or phrases that stand out.

Meditation Phase

·      Read Multiple Times: Read the passage multiple times, each time with a different focus (e.g., God's character, promises, commands).

·      Ask Questions: Interrogate the text. Who, what, when, where, why, and how?

·      Paraphrase: Try to paraphrase the passage in your own words to ensure you grasp its meaning.

·      Word Study: If a particular word stands out, take some time to study its original meaning in Hebrew or Greek.

  Reflection Phase

·      Personal Application: How does this text apply to your life right now? Is there an action to take, a sin to confess, or a truth to proclaim?

·      Theological Connection: How does the passage connect to broader theological truths or doctrines?

·      Pray Over the Passage: Turn the main points of the passage into a prayer back to God.

  Response Phase

·      Note Key Insights: Jot down any revelations, commitments, or prayers that have come out of this time.

·      Share: If appropriate, share what you’ve learned or how you’ve been impacted with someone else.

·      Integrate into Worship: Use your newfound insights to fuel your worship and obedience throughout the day.

·      Thanksgiving Prayer: End your time of meditation with a prayer of gratitude for God's Word and its work in your life.