Do you ever wish you could hear from God? Would you know it if you did? Most of us have been taught to pray and petition God for our concerns, but how many of us really stop to listen for His answer? If you desire connection to the divine heart and will of God, meditation is the perfect practice which creates a sacred space for listening, observing, and tapping into who we really are and want to be.
Is Meditation an Acceptable Christian Practice?
All too often overlooked and (unfortunately) rarely encouraged in traditional Christian circles, is the practice of meditation. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that eastern religions and new age beliefs strongly advocate this practice, however, the Bible gives really clear indication that meditation is a practice that can strengthen our faith and give us clear insights into God’s will for our lives.
In my own life, since incorporating a daily practice of meditation, I’ve gained access to profound truths about God, myself, and others that I’m not sure I would have gained otherwise. By taking time to sit in silence and go within, I’ve gotten to know myself and God on a whole new level.
Meditation Demystified
For many years as a Christian, I avoided the practice of meditation, primarily because I was conditioned to believe it was a new age practice that had the potential to open spiritual doors I would not want opened. What I failed to realize, however, is that meditation provides an opportunity to look into our subconscious mind, the place where who we really are resides.
From this place, I’ve been able to witness who I’ve been and why certain events occurred. I’ve been able to acknowledge and release limiting patterns of belief and replace them with the truth of God’s Word and His will for me, and thus, walk in a whole new level of empowerment and freedom. I’ve gained insight into other peoples behaviors, allowing me to find forgiveness, and I’ve been able to hear and get to know God in ways I never have before.
Meditation can’t and won’t open doors that you’re not willing to open; It simply allows you to set aside all the outer stimuli so that you can go within, allow God to heal past hurts, strengthen your faith by (really) contemplating His Word, and make new decisions about who you want to be.
How to Meditate
If you’re wondering how to meditate, there are many answers to this question, depending on what your goals are, however, if you’re new to meditation, I recommend starting with as little as ten to fifteen minutes a day. Begin by saying a prayer of thanksgiving to God and asking Him to reveal a truth to you about yourself. Allow yourself to be still, focus on your breathing (to calm your superficial thoughts) and focus on your desire to strengthen your connection to God. When thoughts about your responsibilities, grocery lists, calls you have to make, and looming deadlines arise (and they will), simply acknowledge them and let them go, as if they were riding the waves of the clouds in the sky. It takes time and practice to tame the mind chatter, so accepting that this is a new habit you’re forming will allow you to ease into this practice with compassion and love.
Once I’ve slowed down my thoughts, God will often remind me how very precious I am to Him and then He allows me to see a facet of myself that needs to be surrendered or addressed. It might be a way of thinking that is not in alignment with who I really am (due to early faulty beliefs or perceptions), or it may be a habit or behavior that prevents me from experiencing the best God has for me. Either way, God is always present and patiently waiting so He can reveal the truth about something that needs to be healed and conversely, who we really are as believers. Meditation is a sacred opportunity to allow God to do just this.
Another practice I really enjoy is when I refer to a list of attributes I want to embody and be. With each inhaled breath I take, I think of the specific attribute, declare it in my mind and with each exhaled breath, claim it for myself. For example, if I’m feeling a lack of confidence, I will simply claim, I AM CONFIDENT with my inhale, and with my exhale, declare, I AM THAT I AM. These words are the very name of God as revealed by God to Moses and they are a divine prescription for declaring also who we ourselves want to be. I will often go through a long list of attributes that are in alignment with who God says I am so that I can claim them as my own.
As a Christian, I believe the spiritual practice of meditation is one of the most important tools we can use in helping us to to realize who we are as a divine creation of God. By also focusing on the attributes of who God is and who you desire to be, you will train your mind to think these patterns of thought throughout your day. It’s a promising truth that with time and repetition, you will become more empowered to be all that God created you to be.