The word meditate is a verb. Verbs are action words; they are doing words. To mediate means to reflect on; to contemplate; to think about something deeply (especially spiritual matters).
I often meditate on what God tells me in the Bible and through his Spirit.
The result of one such season of meditation culminated in some insight that I passed on in my post, “God is Omni.” In it I shared three characteristics of God and made three corresponding conclusions about our relationship to him.
Interestingly, the first two conclusions occurred to me quite quickly, while the third did not show up for several months.
During that time, I would periodically meditate the three “omni” characteristics of God and the two insights he had given me, pondering—meditating—on what I was sure would be a third insight. Then one day, God revealed it to me.
Had I not been meditating on it, I am quite sure it would have remained hidden. More recently I began meditating on the phrase “tree of life.” I will share more about that next week, as I continue to cogitate—that is, meditate—on it.
When I was meditating on God’s “omni” characteristics, it was generally for less than a minute at a time, but occurred almost every morning.
Then one day the sought after insight was suddenly given. Other times, I will meditate while in prayer, asking God for his input—and then listening.
On still other occasions, I jot down ideas that I revisit from time to time, adding any new thoughts that have been revealed. Lastly, I meditate by writing, be if for a book, a blog, an article, or a journal entry.
However, regardless of the form that my meditations may take, the eventual result is always a deeper and more fuller understanding of God.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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