What Meditation Is and Isn’t

Week 12 Day 3

“My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.”
Psalm 119:148

When a lot of us think of Meditation we thing of a tiny cross legged person under a tree with our palms upward and our hands making the OK sign, and this person completely freeing and emptying their mind, separating themselves from everything around them. Now the tiny cross legged person under a tree with palms up thing is all cool, but this last line is the very difference and distinction of Christian Meditation.
What we know as Eastern Meditation, and in other religions is a type of meditation that’s purpose is to 100 percent empty the mind. In Christian meditation it is fairly different. As we’re focusing our minds on God we do try and eliminate all of those ungodly thoughts in our heads. Our ultimate goal is to be like Christ so we are always and in Meditation especially focusing on how to remove even sinful thoughts. But the big difference comes after. Step one of getting the sin washed in our hearts and minds is only significant if we follow that with the filling of Christ. We must fill ourselves with his word and ways in order for the Meditation to truly serve a purpose.

Reflection Questions

1. What is the difference between eastern and Christian meditation?
2. Why is in ineffective to simply empty our minds of our old sinful ways?
3. What are some things you can focus on filling yourself with in the end of you time of meditation?

Take the Next Step

Let our next step today be to fill ourselves up. So often we may feel disconnected from God, or not sure where to look. But this practice of Meditation is just what we need to fill ourselves up, with his word, works and purpose. As you read scripture and open our ears and hearts to God, let him use you, let him fill you.