MEDITATION!

I know. You are wondering what I am doing in the “lotus position.” Well, first of all, that ain’t no lotus. Not only am I disinterested in yogic procedures and maneuvers, gone are the days when my limbs were supple enough to twist themselves into inexetricable musculoskeletal knots. Moreover, that’s no temple I’m located in. That venerable looking doorway is part of the St. Mary’s Cathedral (Domberg St. Marien), an impressive Gothic structure in Erfurt, Germany. Begun in the 11th century, parts of it were completed in the 14th—it is over 700 years old! Of note is the fact that on April 3, 1507, a certain monk named Martin Luther was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in this same Cathedral, after having spent two years in an Augustinian friary also located in Erfurt. This worthy would, in a decade, become the Father of the Protestant Reformation.

Anyways, lotus or no, meditation is always a good idea, provided one is meditating on the right thing—the Word of God.

... you shall meditate on it
day and night,
so that you may be careful
to do according
to all that is written in it;
for then you will make
your way prosperous, and then
you will have success.
Joshua 1:8

Living by the Book—always a recipe for success in God’s eyes. And meditation is a recommended prerequisite to that endeavour—a pondering, a musing, a reading and rereading, a recollecting and remembering of God’s Word, bringing Scripture to mind with thoughtful reflection and contemplative deliberation. An entire Psalm—the very first one—is dedicated to this thesis, with its attendant benefits.

How blessed is the one
who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stand in the path of sinners,
nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight
is in the law of the LORD,
and in His law
he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly
planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in its season
and its leaf does not wither;
and in whatever he does,
he prospers.
Psalm 1:1–3

Meditate on these things, things of the Word of God—whatever things are …

… true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute,
if something is excellent
or praiseworthy,
dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Meditating on the deeds of God—what He has done, for we are never to forget, never to overlook, but always to remember.

I shall remember
the deeds of the LORD;
surely I will remember
Your wonders of old.
I will meditate
on all Your work
and muse on Your deeds.
You are the God
who works wonders;
You have made known Your
strength among the peoples.
You have by Your power
redeemed Your people.
Psalm 77:11–12, 14–15

Meditate. Remember. Such a discipline of mind is a clinging on to God, a conscious attention to His Word, a constant mindfulness of His presence and activity in our lives. At all times.

When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You
in the night watches,
for You have been my help,
and in the shadow of Your wings
I sing for joy.
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:6–8

May we discipline ourselves for that practice daily.

Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock
and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Meditate!