Caution: Meditation Should Cause Change
by Debbie Poer
As we have been on our journey this year exploring different Christian disciplines, with each one I have come away with a new understanding of each word and a new way of observing each. With January’s simplicity I came away with a desire to simplify my life in order to spend additional committed time in prayer and God’s Word. February led me to a deeper understanding of living a life of prayer (pray without ceasing). March encouraged me to celebrate even the small things of life – everything is a gift from God and worthy of celebration. April and service caused me to consider how I serve – is it out of obligation or because I want to imitate Christ and be His hands and feet to others?
Throughout the month of May, we will be looking at the Christian discipline of meditation. Sometimes when the word “meditation” is mentioned people automatically think of the Eastern form, in which one is attempting to empty themselves and become part of the great cosmos. Christian meditation goes so much deeper than that. As Christ-followers it is our desire to sit quietly, filling our minds with Scripture with the intention of connecting with God and becoming a changed person.
I remember the first time meditating on Scripture really came alive for me. I was in my early 20s and was struggling in a relationship with a long-time friend. I was jealous of her. We had been friends for many years, and I was always jealous of her – how cute she was, her shining personality, her ability to make friends, her love of Jesus, I was envious. I was always comparing myself to her. Then one day as I was reading Scripture, I came across 1 Corinthians 12:1-27 and Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts and unity and diversity in the body of believers.
I was brought to a halt in my reading. What was Paul talking about and what did his words have to say to me? Suddenly I knew I needed to do more than simply read the words. And so, I sat with that passage: reading, re-reading, praying, thinking.
Looking back on that experience I now see I was learning about meditation. There was a part of my character that I did not like. Not only was I wanting to better understand Paul’s words, but more importantly I wanted to listen for God to speak to me and change that undesirable part of me.
That was the beginning of a new journey in my relationship with God. And it was (is) not always easy. Meditation requires discipline…learning to sit in stillness…learning to listen for God instead of talking to Him…learning to wait. But if we are patient, we will be led into a deeper understanding of David’s statement in Psalm 62:5, “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him” (NLT).
Meditation can also be scary. If we truly enter into the practice with a desire to become more Christ-like we are asking God to speak to us in a way that will change us. For most of us that is frightening. We will be responding to God’s instruction and call on our lives, stepping into the unknown. Whether it is a small change in the way we act, speak, or behave or a major change in the way we live we will be led in a new direction, requiring us to go deeper in our trust of God.
In my experience long ago, after sitting with that 1 Corinthian 12 passage, I suddenly understood my friend and I were different for a reason, and I had as much to offer as she did – I just needed to work with God to discover what that was. I would still be wallowing in some form of self-pity had I not been willing to be still, sit, read, and wait to hear God speak to me through His word!
This month will you join me in committing to spend time (more time) in reflecting on God’s Word, so that together we exit the month of May changed in our relationship with Him and in the way we live for and serve Him?
