Do you meditate? Have you thought about meditation as it relates to your walk with Jesus?
I am going to make a bold statement. You do meditate, and you do it all the time. We are constantly thinking, processing, pondering, rehearsing, replaying in our minds. What goes on internally in our heads and hearts greatly impacts the things we say and do.
The Scriptures have a lot to say about meditation. What we think about, chew on and ponder is vitally important in our walk with Jesus.
I want to encourage you to do a little assignment in preparation for Sunday. Read Philippians 4:8-9 and do a writing exercise. In that short passage, Paul instructs the Philippians to fix their thoughts on what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise.
Take a blank sheet of paper and write out each of those eight words. Then, write what comes to mind beside each of those eight words. Here is an example:
True: Scripture is true. The love I have for my wife and kids is true. God's love for me is true.
Honourable: Sacrificing oneself for others is honourable. A friend of mine spends most of his time with people who have nothing; he serves and cares for them, and this is honourable.
Right:________
Do this for all 8. Scripture says to do this and then to think about those things. There are lots of negative things to dwell on. Dwelling on hurtful things people have said, on how to get revenge, or about how you wish you had more money, a better job, etc. Dwelling on these things will increase anxiety and depression. But, if we do as Scripture instructs and dwell on what is true, honourable, right and pure, we will experience the peace of God.
