Christian
Meditation Part I
By Pastor Timothy Burdick
When
you think about the practice of meditation,
what comes to mind? Do you think about
someone sitting and contemplating their
navel? Adherents may try to empty their
minds, looking for peace.
Practices like this have given meditation a
bad name, but Biblical meditation does have
a real place in the body of Christ. Rather
than emptying it, the mind needs to be
filled with God’s Word. The apostle Paul
said it like this in Philippians 4:6-9 - “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, make your
requests known to God. Then the peace of God
that surpasses all understanding will guard
your hearts and mind’s in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers and sisters whatsoever is
true, what ever is honorable, whatever is
just, what ever is pure what ever is lovely,
whatever is gracious, if there is any
excellence and if there is anything worthy
of praise, think about these things... and
the God of peace will be with you."
Instead
of looking for peace by emptying your mind,
take hold of the peace that you already have
if you are a child of God. Focus your mind
on God’s Word, thinking about the ways that
His beauty and majesty are displayed, and
allow His peace to overflow you.
It may
not be easy, but whatever situation you find
yourself in, you can know that God is in
control. For as you quiet your heart, you
will find new strength to face each task.
