“Aaah! She’s going to rear end my truck!” Thankfully, the driver looked up from texting on her phone just in time to hit her brake. I have what is probably a unique quirk when driving. I go the speed limit. So I usually have someone tailgating my bumper. Making this more annoying is that the majority are chattering on their phone; some even texting.
After growing up without a house phone until I was nineteen years old, plus prior the days of mobile phones, it fascinates me to observe how addicted people are to their cell-phones. At the university last year, I do not remember seeing a single student walking around campus that was not talking, texting or surfing on their phones or tablets. Surveys reveal that at least 2/3 of the population go to bed with their phone. Some admit they wake up several times to check their text messages or e-mails. I told my wife if a foreign government wanted to destroy this nation, just put an end to all means of electronic communication. Some people would literally go insane.
I realize that media devises are an integral part of everyone’s daily life. However, I have to wonder if people ever take time just to stop, be quite, and think without a phone, a computer, TV, or radio distracting their thoughts. It is easy to wake up, immediately turn on the TV, and stay connected with some type of media gadget all day until we go to sleep watching TV. The question that runs through my mind is if Christians are so preoccupied with these tools of information day and night, when do they give time to mediate on God, His Word, and His works?
Biblical meditation is a crucial element for our spiritual growth. The devil has tried to rob Christianity of the true meaning of meditation by bringing a negative connotation. Much of contemporary societies’ understanding revolves around practices that originated in Eastern Religions such as Transcendental Meditation and Yoga. However, these are vastly different from Biblical mediation. In these Eastern forms, the objective is to empty one’s mind and become detached from the world. In contrast, Biblical meditation is the process of allowing God’s Word to fill our mind. It is reflective thinking on a biblical truth. Note also that reading the Bible is not the same as meditating on the Word. Reading is gathering of information without application. Meditation is reflecting on some part of what we have read in order to bring understanding, internalization, and personal application. It is a component of the process of transformation through the renewing our minds (Rom 12:2). Biblical meditation is one means by which the Holy Spirit changes our attitude, the way we think, and how we live our daily life. As we learn to practice this spiritual disciple, it will also filter out the manipulative and negative influences of the world that can easily clutter our thoughts.
Consider several insights from the Psalms. Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still (Psa 4:4). Meditate in His temple (Psa 27:4). I meditate on You in the night watches (Psa 63:6). I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds (Psa 77:12). From Psalms 119, I will meditate on Your wonders (v27), on Your statutes (v15), and on Your precepts (v78). My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word (v148). Some of the lessons we can derive from these verses are, place or time is not an issue—bed, temple, or night watch. A certain body posture, as the Eastern lotus position is not required—lying in bed, standing, or kneeling in the temple. What is essential is a place of quietness or stillness. I can already hear a parent, “Well, you don’t know what my noisy house is like.” In fact, I do after raising three children. Meditating could be a few minutes in bed before going to sleep instead of watching TV. I literally practice Jesus’ admonition; when you pray, go into your inner room [secret chamber, closet, or storehouse] (Matt 6:6). The absolute essential is either turn off or leave out of hearing range your media devises. No cell phones, you will survive.
Another lesson is that there is no mention of how long. It does not have to be an hour. God is pleased with even five minutes. As you realize the benefits, you will find ways to spend more time reflecting on God. I like to use the analogy of the computer. Sometimes it gets so cluttered with data, it is necessary to reboot. Biblical meditation is one way of rebooting, clearing the clutter, and giving room for God’s Word to take root in our life.
SUSTAINING WORD FOR THE WEEK: Maybe it is time you begin a regular spiritual reboot. Stop, get quiet, meditate, and allow God’s Word to fill your mind.