For the month of August, we are exploring the spiritual practice of meditation together.
Meditation. What comes to mind when you hear this word? Pause for moment and consider your preconceived notions regarding meditation.
Images of meditation or ideas about meditation abound in our modern culture. Meditation, or mindfulness as it is often called, is viewed as a healthy if not trendy practice to manage or rid ourselves of stress and anxiety. A quick Google search returns scores of apps, websites, videos, and influencers designed to aid in practicing meditation. Eastern meditation has also become increasingly popular in our culture with the goal being the emptying of oneself of all desires in order to reach a state of nirvana or perfection thus detaching oneself from the physical realm.
But this month our focus is Christian meditation, which differs greatly from these other forms of meditation prevalent in our world and is not new or the latest trend. In fact Christian meditation as a spiritual discipline to connect with God has been practiced by followers of Jesus for centuries and by Jews for centuries before that.
Meditation as a Christian spiritual practice is “a long, ardent gaze at God, his work, and his Word,” and it involves slowing down and giving God our undivided attention.1 The goal of Christian meditation is attachment to God and being filled up by the Holy Spirit. It is focusing our minds and hearts on God and the things of God, dwelling in his glorious presence, communing with God in the deepest, most intimate part of our hearts, and being filled by the Holy Spirit. In Christian meditation we open ourselves to God and his presence and work in the world letting go of distractions and focusing our minds on God. Adele Calhoun describes Christian meditation as “a way we train the mind to stay put” and contemplate God and the things of God rather than follow every mental tangent.2 We live in an age of increasing distraction in which our attention is constantly divided and multitasking is celebrated. But communing with God requires focused, single-minded, intention. The spiritual practice of meditation helps us to quiet our minds and attune our hearts to the frequency of the Holy Spirit.
This all sounds great but how do we go about practicing Christian meditation? We can practice Christian meditation in several ways. We can meditate on Scripture or an aspect of God’s character (i.e- God’s love). We can also go on a walk and meditate on God’s creation or draw, paint, or color while listening to music meditating on God and his presence with us. This month we are going to practice meditating on Scripture utilizing a devotional reading method called Lectio Divina.
The Practice: Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is Latin for “divine reading,” and it is an ancient meditative practice for reading Scripture devotionally that has been practiced by followers of Jesus since the early days of the church. It involves prayerfully reading a passage of Scripture several times listening for God’s “particular, loving word to me at this particular moment in time”3 through the passage. Thus, the aim of Lectio Divina is about deepening our relationship with God rather than gaining more information about him.
Lectio Divina is comprised of several movements but the process is simple. You will choose a passage of Scripture and read the passage slowly three separate times listening for words or phrases that stand out to you pausing in between readings to contemplate, listen, and pray. You can certainly choose any passage you like, but here are a few to get you started:
- Genesis 1
- Psalm 1
- Psalm 34
- Isaiah 6:1-8
- Zephaniah 3:14-17
- Mark 10:46-52
- John 15:1-5
- Colossians 1:15-20
- 1 John 4:7-12
You will need a Bible, journal, and pen for this practice.
Begin by preparing your heart for connecting with God. Sit in a comfortable position and breathe deeply releasing your stress and worry with each exhale and imagine God’s love filling you with each inhale. Pray something like, “God I am here. Open my heart to your presence.”
Next, using one of the passages of Scripture listed above or one of your own choosing, read the passage out loud, slowly and intentionally, trying to hear every word. Listen for which word or phrase grabs your attention. Pause for a few minutes after reading and contemplate what stood out to you. Jot down any thoughts in your journal.
Then, read the passage aloud a second time. Listen for what stands out to you during this reading. Is it the same or different? Is God extending any invitation to you through this passage? Pause for a few more minutes and contemplate these things, writing and praying as you feel led.
Read through the passage one more time. What might God be saying to you through this passage today? What feelings are rising to the surface? Are you resistant? How is God inviting you further up and further in to his presence? Respond to God authentically and truthfully, writing, praying, and contemplating.
As we go through this month, I encourage you to try this practice 1-2 times per week. May we all be drawn further up and further in to God’s presence as we meditate on his word this month.
