Meditation

     As a resident in a first world country, I am very blessed. As a resident in a first world country that finds its roots in Christianity and considers it as the primary religion, I am even more blessed. I live in an area where there are several Bible-teaching-and-believing churches with fifteen miles from me. I go to a school where we have Chapel once a week, and there are numerous Bible studies and worship gatherings throughout the week. I probably own more spiritual books than I will ever get to read in my lifetime. I am very thankful to have so many opportunities around me to hear God's word and to worship with His people.
     But, as a girl who likes to see the whole picture - the good and the bad, the dark and the light - I like to look at the downsides of having this easy availability of God's word and all the teaching that surrounds it. So, whether you like it or not, I'm going to dive in to the pitfalls of living in a Christian-based first world nation.
I am currently reading a book called, Christian on the Mount by Thomas Watson, and it deals primarily with meditation for the believer. I have been exploring this idea and finding it to be very fruitful. I know that many people may be skeptical about using the word "meditation", because it sounds like something only hyper-religious people or hippies would be doing. I once heard meditation as being defined as having a conversation with yourself about the goodness and glory of God. I could really identify with that, because I used to talk to myself quite often (and still do, I must admit). It really excited me that I could use my odd introverted habit to the glory of God and the good of my soul.
     Another definition of meditation that I like (and that Thomas Watson uses), is that of it being like digestion. God's word is the bread, and the preaching of it is us being fed. But how will it do us any good if we do not digest it? Could you imagine continually eating food, but never really digesting it? Your taste buds would be satisfied, and you might feel good for a little while, but eventually your body would start to become sick and hungry. You would have no nourishment to go off on, because you didn't take the opportunities that you were given and use them as they were intended in the best way possible.
     On page 66 of Christian on the Mount, Watson says, "Without meditation the truths that we know will never affect our hearts. Deuteronomy 6:6 says, 'These words which I command this day shall be in thine heart.' How can the Word be in the heart unless it is wrought in by meditation? as a hammer drives a nail to the head, so meditation drives a truth to the heart. It is not the taking in of food, but the stomach's digesting it that turns it into nourishment. Just so, it is not the taking in of a truth at the ear, but the meditation on it, that is the digestion of it in the mind, that makes it nourish."
     The book of James talks about us being doers of the word and not only hearers. (James 1:22-25). Meditation is the process by which action ensues. So many times do I hear a sermon, and forget it within 24 hours. Once you digest food, then it has the ability to be used for energy and activity.
     It is such a blessing to have the availability of the preaching of the Word and its resources, but I would caution against getting caught up in the activity of going to hear the Word, but never letting it seep into our hearts and change us for real. Meditation is not an easy thing to do. It typically has to be done by ones lonesome, and takes focus and concentration. But, take heart! You will not be disappointed. "Though while we are first entering upon meditation it may seem hard, yet once we are entered it is sweet and pleasant. Christ's yoke at the first putting on may seem heavy, but once it is on it becomes easy; it is not a yoke, but a crown...The poets say the top of Olympus was always quiet and serene. Just so, it is hard climbing up the rocky hill of meditation; but when we get to the top, there is a pleasant prospect, and we shall sometimes think ourselves even in heaven. By holy meditation the soul, as it were, has breakfast with God every morning." (pg. 75).
     May we press further in and further up, dear saints! May we reach the mount to find the oasis of God's beauty and glory and peace! Praise God that He condescends to meet us and give us hope and rest!