Meditation
Ephesians 4:20-24
(We are studying the "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster. The numbers you see below (x) are the page numbers from the book where the quote is found.)
10 Big Questions about Meditation:
1. What are Spiritual Disciplines?
God gives us the Disciplines so that we can place ourselves in His presence so He can transform us (8)
2. Why do we need them?
You cannot will yourself to be good - you must become good and then you will act good. The Disciplines lead you to this inner transformation.
3. Who can do them?
Anyone - it's not for spiritual giants.
4. What is meditation?
"Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God's voice and obey His Word" (17)
5. To whom does God speak?
Those who are willing to listen.
6. What is meditation not?
"Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind. Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind with Christ!" (20)
7. What happens in meditation?
We make emotional and spiritual space by pushing aside all our concerns to create room for Christ to fill us more. We stop and put our ways aside - we meditate and ask Him for His guidance.
8. What does meditation do?
"Meditation sends us into our ordinary world with greater perspective and balance." (22)
9. How does meditation work; how do I do it?
Through our imagination or imagery.
He will give you a picture of how things could be - and as you meditate, you realize what your role is supposed to look like.
Practical ideas:
i. Pray for the desire to meditate
ii. Set aside the same time each day
iii. Consider your posture
iv. Palms up/palms down
10. On what do I meditate?
Meditate on creation
Meditate on scripture; interact with it through your senses
This is the difference between our will that makes us have peace and His power that grants us peace.
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