Finding Rest in the Rhythms of LifeShembull

The Rhythm of Meditation

The mind is at its peak state when it is undistracted. When we set ourselves toward meditation, it helps us to prepare to have “ears to hear” what God may want to say to us. When we can understand the great affection and care that God holds for us, we remember that he does indeed desire to commune and connect with us. Noise, hurry, and crowds can be our biggest adversary when we are attempting to hear from God. Thomas Merton said that “all men need enough silence and solitude in their lives to enable the deep inner voice of their true self to be heard at least occasionally.” We need to know our inner selves well so that we can invite God in. 

Meditation is built on consideration and listening. When the Bible says to love the Lord your God with all your mind [Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Matthew 22:37–40; Mark 12:30–31; Luke 10:27], I think meditation is the key in actively engaging this truth. Considering the actual truth and implications of God’s great love for us brings rest.

Many followers of Jesus may be a bit leery of the idea of meditation because of its connections to various other religious practices. Meditation, though, is a thoroughly biblical and deeply spiritual practice. Meditation was familiar to the authors of Scripture, and it appears in the Bible fifty-eight times. Psalm 119:97, Genesis 24:63, Psalm 63:6, Psalm 119:148, and Psalm 1:2 are just a few familiar instances where meditation is mentioned. Some Christians may believe that meditation is an ineffective use of time, but I think the scriptural examples show us that there is a vital need to develop this practice.

I do believe that there are some important distinctions to take note of when seeking to grow in the practice of meditation. Eastern meditation, at its core, is an attempt to empty the mind. Christian meditation’s purpose is to fill the mind. The Eastern approach is to detach from the world and be free from the burdens in hopes of experiencing nirvana; there is no God to attach to. The danger in this is becoming fascinated with disengagement with the world. The Christian method says there is a need for understanding in the midst of the confusion of the world, which leads to a richer attachment to God. As Thomas Merton says, “Meditation has no point unless it is firmly rooted in life.” The point of meditation is to receive guidance on how to navigate in the world—not to disconnect and remove ourselves from the world. . . . Richard Foster writes, “Christian meditation is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word.” . . . [6]

Many of us have grown content to receive God’s message secondhand. We have great pastors, authors, and leaders who share the words on their hearts that result from their own time spent with Christ. But we need to long to hear the voice of God for ourselves. Meditation calls us to engage in God’s presence. We are all the priesthood of God, and meditation is a pathway to hearing his voice.

Romans 5:17 reminds us that righteousness comes from outside of us, and stilling ourselves to consider this truth gives us perspective. All throughout Scripture, we see examples of how God spoke to people because they were willing to listen. The desire to hear his voice and meditate is a gift of grace. We have to pray and ask for it.

[6] Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (New York: Harper) 1998.