To say that the last several years have felt like a bit of a blur is more than a bit of an understatement.
The other day—which in reality was probably a month ago, if I counted the actual days—my coworker mentioned she and her husband were visiting Europe with a family friend. This particular family friend had promised her daughter a trip to Italy as a high school graduation present, but those plans were delayed because the daughter graduated in 2020.
Well, the daughter went on to college, graduated early, and called in that Italian raincheck this year. So off they went, to enjoy gelato, museums, the Trevi Fountain, and the Italian countryside. I was excited to hear about their trip and simultaneously blown away by the fact that, for me, three years ago could feel like it happened last week, if not yesterday.
Now, it could just be me, but it seems like since 2020, the days have not only flown by, but it feels like time has actually collapsed on itself, making each 24-hour day feel like it’s been cut in half.
With time feeling so fleeting, it can make sense that adding one more thing to the mix may sound overwhelming. But when it comes to meditation, renewing our minds, strengthening our spirit man, and setting ourselves up for success is worth the time and effort. It’s an investment that pays dividends, helping us cast aside the lies of fear and anxiety, silencing their taunts.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
Hebrews 12:1
Through meditation, we are instead choosing the better way, freeing our minds from the limiting lies fear would want us to believe so we can enter into the abundance God has given to us as His children.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2
And what exactly is God’s will for you? Instead of fear, worry, anxiety, and panic, what is it He would have you enjoy?
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
3 john 2
Of all the things God could want for you in this life—right now, right here on this very day— He boils it down to a simple statement, having Paul pen words we can live by regardless of the economy, stock prices, decisions by government leaders, economic predictions, or threats of collapse. The Creator of Heaven and Earth, the One who calls Himself our Father, display His nature, by reminding us that He wants good things for us.
Merriam Webster defines the verb prosper to mean:
- to succeed in an enterprise or an activity (especially: to achieve economic success)
- to become strong and flourishing
Achieving success, becoming strong, flourishing, those are results we get when we meditate on God’s Word and respond to His instructions.
I’ve quoted it before, but it’s worth reading again:
“7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7-9
So yes, meditation is important.
Meditation is also beneficial.
And meditation is an onramp leading us to the success God desires for us to enjoy.
Now, with only 24 hours in a day and the various places and ways you can spend your time, there are a few tips I’ve found that make meditation a bit easier for me, even though they have nothing to do with actual process of meditating.
1. Have a focus: What are you attacking/strengthening?
The entire Bible is filled with powerful verses, but when there’s a specific issue you’re facing, it makes perfect sense to find the verse that addresses that issue. When the body needs a specific vitamin or mineral, we can eat a fruit or vegetable containing what we need or we can specifically target that need by consuming a specific supplement. The fruit is helpful, the supplement is focused help.
2. Have a set time: When are you alert and able to invest the time?
You can meditate first thing in the morning and in the evening, midday or at night, but regardless of the times of day you choose, selecting a set time and set amount of time has helped me adopt a regular habit of meditation. I know when I am going to meditate and no longer feel like I have to spend an hour meditating in order to reap the benefits. And on the flip side, if I spend 15 minutes meditating I don’t feel like I’ve failed because I had a “better day” earlier in the week.
3. Have what you need: What do you need to eliminate distractions?
Yes there are supplies I use during my times of meditating, like a Bible, pen, a notebook, etc., but there are often things I need that can help me stay focused once I’ve started meditating, items that I keep nearby so I can decrease the possibility of distraction. For me, when I choose to sit down and run through all aspects of meditation, I can find the little things distracting me. After some time, I’ve noticed I can be distracted by my hands feeling dry—I wash my hands a lot—feeling thirsty, or even the alerts from my phone. Because of this, I’ll keep hand lotion nearby, or purposefully put lotion on before I start meditating, keep my water bottle or a tea handy, and put my phone on focus mode until my timer goes off. When possible, I intentionally eliminate the things I know I find distracting.
Have high expectations: What do you expect?
With any new practice, it’s common to hear that we shouldn’t expect results for a few weeks, if not months. But there’s a word that you can find in the Old and New Testaments and it’s the word, “suddenly,” which is found 71 times in the New King James Version. The Bible is the one area in which it would be extremely beneficial to ditch the expectation of delayed freedom. Scripture is not only powerful, but it is extremely effective at yielding results. The Word is described as a sword, a hammer, and water—all of which can cause serious damage. We can expect the Word to work for us because we have faith in God and His character. Our Father wouldn’t tell us to use His Word and then not back that Word with His power to see fear and anxiety completely evicted from our lives.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
Matthew 7:7-11
God can not lie. (Titus 1:2) The freedom He has made available to us is real, tangible, lasting, and seen throughout Scripture. Times may have changed since the words we read were inspired by the Holy Spirit and penned by men, but the infallible Word of God has not changed to keep up with the times because it doesn’t need to. It far ahead of us, steadily pointing the way, reminding us of who God is and who we are to Him.
He is faithful and He is true. And the words He spoke over His people centuries ago are still calling to us today.
As you spend time meditating this week, definitely do the practical things that help facilitate your times of meditation, but do so remembering that the God who exists outside of time, is present and always backs His word so that we can experience the reality and freedom of what we read, every moment of every day regardless of how quickly time seems to be flying.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity…”
(Jeremiah 29:11-13)