by Randal Matheny

"Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes" (Psalm 119.23, NRSV).

Eastern religions understand meditation as an emptying of one's mind and soul. The goal is nothingness. The mantra, a syllable, word, or phrase repeated in meditation, seeks to disconnect the chanter from the world around and separate him from this reality.

According to the Scriptures, meditation seeks to fill the depth of the human soul with God's word. The goal is Christlikeness, or godli(ke)ness. The concentration in God's statutues takes into account the reality of our experience and serves as delightful counsellor to the righteous (Psalm 199.24).

Here's a short list of what meditation is or seeks to do for the Christian. You can add to it.

• The wait until the mind brings me deeper meanings or extended applications of Scripture for my daily life.

• The expectation of opening new horizons of comprehension and action.

• The confrontation of the Word with the soul, in all its weaknesses, pride, fears, and anxieties (Ps. 119.11, 59).

• The apprenticeship of learning who I am (Jas. 1.22-25).

• The absorption of truth, so as to think, speak, and act automatically or instinctively by its guidance.

• The preliminary to courage and success (Josh. 1.5-9, Ps. 119.23-24, 78, 95).

• The hiding of the word of God in the depths of the heart, in order that, from within, may flow rivers of living water (Ps. 119.112, John 7.38).

• The discovery of the Savior's nearness.

• The effort to give up effort.

• The questioning of how the Word may come to my side, to my aid.

• The search to please the Lord in my integrity (Ps. 19.14).

• The feeding of gladness and pleasure in the goodness of God (Ps. 119.15-16, 18, 47-48).

• The dependence on the Lord's purpose for my life (Ps. 119.27).

• The sunrise of wisdom (Ps. 119.97-100).

Meditation is the lost art of faith, the forgotten article of devotion. Busyness has crowded out contemplation. The life run by a task-oriented agenda has squelched reflection.

And we are the poorer for its lack.

Stop today, turn off the gadgets, lock yourself into the bathroom or bedroom or hide in the woods. Get alone with God, hear the Word speak, and ponder its meaning.

Ponder well. From such deep thoughts flow the springs of life.