Just the mere mention of meditation can bring to mind visuals of a room full of yogis, legs crossed in poses, their eyes closed, and hands atop their knees with serene looks upon their faces.
But today is a good day to eliminate some myths and wrong ways of thinking so we can open the door of meditation just a little wider.
So let’s start with some very basic points that will help us on our meditation journey. Because meditation is a very powerful tool to help us move forward into the things God has ordained for us as His children. He has prepared great experiences for us to walk in and that happens as we shift our thoughts to adopt the way He thinks about ourselves, those around us, and the opportunities we face, which happens as we meditate upon truth.
So without further ado…
- Myth 1. A small portion of the population meditates daily.
- Truth: Everyone meditates at one time or another, even if it’s unintentional.
Actually, almost everyone meditates at some point in the day—from seniors to children. Believe me, I’ve seen some children who were able to stay focused on their desire for some pre-breakfast chocolate for more than just a few minutes, to my amazement, although I really couldn’t blame them. And, surprise surprise, for those who find themselves involved in worry during the day, you are an avid meditator. For many, it’s not uncommon to find your mind focused on a certain topic on more than one occasion throughout the day. It might be a recent conversation, an ongoing desire—chocolate really is delicious—or a past event in which your emotions are still intertwined. Meditation is the practice of the mind placing focused, diligent attention on a topic. The word meditation literally comes from an ancient Latin word that means to mutter, to go over repeatedly to the point of remedy. If you’ve ever seen a cow chewing, you’ll have a pretty accurate visual of what happens to thoughts in our mind as we meditate, or even obsess on a thought.
- Myth 2. In order to meditate you have to be seated in a quiet space with your eyes closed.
- Truth: It’s actually possible to meditate without being anchored to one place or position.
Meditation is an exercise of the mind that impacts body, spirit, and the soul. Given that you don’t have to be still for your mind to focus, meditation actually doesn’t require being sedentary in order to be productive. Now, you may encounter fewer external distractions if you stay in one place and close your eyes, but it’s not a requirement. When I meditate on a particular verse that I need to apply to a wrong way of thinking or unhelpful emotions, I definitely have my eyes open as I read over what God has written to me about disappointment, my future, past decisions, or the enemy’s lies. But when I declare His truth over those places that need mending, there are times I do have my eyes closed as I incorporate my meditations into my beliefs.
- Myth 3. Meditation is a practice for people who follow “Eastern religions,” not Christians.
- Truth: Meditation may be popular and widely practiced in many religions, but meditating on Scripture is available and effective for those who desire to incorporate the discipline.
God placed His Son in the Middle East and chose to birth what we refer to as Christianity in that region. Yes, meditation is an ancient practice that is performed by masses of people on different continents, but it’s also a clear prescription given to those who follow God. If we sequester meditation as the sole property of other religions we are setting ourselves up to miss out on a primary key to living fulfilling lives we were meant to enjoy.
“O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple.”
Psalm 48:9 NLT
It’s worth noting that when Joshua faced one of the biggest challenges in His life, when he was about to do what even his predecessor couldn’t do, God gave Him very specific instructions for his monumental tasks:
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7–9
The fear that had plagued God’s people and had kept them from the Promised Land 40 years earlier could no longer be part of their lives. God wanted Joshua to successfully lead His people into the fulfillment of the promise He’d made centuries earlier so they could live in a land of their own and actually experience and enjoy freedom. In order for Joshua to experience success in his new (and challenging) role, He instructed Joshua to push back fear and discouragement and instead use that attention and energy to delve into, obey, and meditate upon truth.
God has not changed. What He wanted for Joshua centuries ago is what He desires for you to experience today.
The God who is the very same yesterday, today, and forever is still for His people (Heb 13:8). Just as He wanted to lead His people into the Promised Land to experience His goodness in a new way and completely blow their minds, He desires to lead us away from fear and discouragement so we can experience His goodness in the land of the living.
Meditate upon truth today. Know that He is nearer than you can imagine and wants to be more involved in your day-to-day than you might think. And the things He has for you are going to blow your mind because He doesn’t know how to do anything less (Ps 126). He is bigger than all things and as you ingest truth, He is making you worry’s No. 1 enemy. You’re going to trouble the things that tried to trouble you because that’s what you were created to do.
You’ve made it this far and you will make it all the way!