Meditation for me has always been tough. To sit quietly and to focus is not really one of my strengths. But when it comes down to it, I dont do it because I find other things as more important. Mediation can be defined as "the ability to hear God's voice and obey his word." I am quite positive that I have never heard the actual voice of God and I sometimes doubt people when they come to me saying they have. But as Foster says "God spoke to them not because they had special abilities but because they were willing to listen."
I talk about listening to God often. The problem with this is that I am talking about it, and when I am talking I am not listening. So this is a much needed discipline that I need. When Dietrich Bonhoeffer was asked why he meditated, he replied, "Because I am a Christian."
So how do we meditate? Why do we meditate?
Most people have the view of meditation as and "attempt to empty the mind, Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind." Rather than just detaching yourself from the world and your problems, what is needed is to have a richer attachment to God.
You are not going to be able to master meditation on your first attempt. This is why it is a discipline. It takes effort.
Mediation on scripture is a great place to start. Bonhoeffer recommended meditating on a text for a whole week. This allows it to take root in you. Remember we are "active participants" in the Word of God. He will be there to teach, heal and forgive along the way.
Dwell on the word and then go obey it.
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