Friday, July 28, 2017 What Meditation is Not: Meditation (Part 3) (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster)

Friday, July 28, 2017

What Meditation is Not: Meditation (Part 3)

(Inspired by Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster)

Excerpt from Celebration of Discipline (pp 20- , edited for length; additional explanations in parentheses):

(Not the same as Eastern meditation):

Whenever the Christian idea of meditation is taken seriously, there are those who assume it is synonymous with the concept of meditation centered in Eastern religions. In reality, the two ideas stand worlds apart. Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind; Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind. The two ideas are quite different.

Detachment is the final goal of Eastern religion.

Christian meditation goes far beyond the notion of detachment. There is need for detachment, (but) detachment is not enough; we must go on to attachment. The detachment from the confusion all around us in order to have a richer attachment to God. Christian meditation leads us to the inner wholeness necessary to give ourselves to God freely.

(Not too difficult or complicated):

Another misconception avout meditation is that it is too difficult, too complicated…best left to the professional…Not at all. We do not need any special gifts or psychic powers.

(Not impractical or out of touch):

Many people believe that at its very best meditation leads to an unhealthy otherworldliness that keeps us immune to the suffering of humanity…..

In fact, meditation is the one thing that can sufficiently redirect our lives so that we can deal with human life successfully….William Penn notes, “True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it.”

It is wonderful when a particular meditation leads to ecstacy, but it is far more common to be given guidance in dealing with ordinary human problems. Meditation sends us into our ordinary world with greater perspective and balance.

(Not a religious form of psychological manipulation):

…If you feel that we live in a purely physical universe, you will view meditation as a good way to obtain a consistent alpha brain-wave pattern. But if you believe that we live in a universe created by the infinite-personal God who delights in our communion with him, you will see meditation as communication between the Lover and the one beloved.

Devotional:

This morning as I dug into Celebration of Discipline, I was given the opportunity for a wonderful object lesson. I was smacked with the reality of a child who was taking some steps backward into defiance. Because my husband wants to be accountable to maintain his self control, I am the chief disciplinarian at our agreement. I needed to step in to a situation of clear defiance, eating up the time I typically use to prepare and pray over and write our devotional. I make it my habit to keep my heart and mind open and available to God first thing in the morning, which is a practice my grandfather has encouraged all of us in our family to do for years. The enemy of our souls found my trigger button, but God walked me through the situation with guess what? Meditation.

Between rounds with my daughter, the Lord led me into a deep meditating time of worship and focusing on Him. Within that time He showed me the right strategy, encouraged a place of repentance I was needing in another area, and simply ministered intimacy to me.

When I returned, He led me gently into preparing and sharing this devotional.

What a joy to have first hand the opportunity to share with you that meditation is not out of reach! It is simple, practical and fulfilling. It wasn’t even a long experience! In fact, I was able to do my time of meditation while getting my quick morning bath.

Though I entered frazzled, I am leaving this time with the Lord refreshed, filled and prepared. It will take you longer to read this devotional than it took me to receive this from Him! It is so worth it, friends. He is in your day, and He will lead us into meditations so that we can have this peace and equipping for the most mundane and practical of purposes. Thank God for that!

Prayer:

Father, today I surrender my preconceived notions of meditation to You. Lead me and guide me as You will into this place of fellowship and filling.

Intercession:

I lift my children to You. I ask that they, too, would find a place of surrender and inner fellowship with Your heart, God. (lift needs, make note in a journal as time allows).

Thank You for this time today. You are awesome, and worthy! In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.