Meditation

Okay so this past week in class when we were told that we had to read on meditation I was defiantly thrown off. I have always assumed Meditation was not really an aspect of the Christian life. I understand the bible says "Meditate on my words day and night" but I never really gave this too much though. Basically I ignored it. I thought meditation was for Monks and weird people in the movies who could float. So it was interesting to get assigned the task of Meditation. Basically the idea of meditation taking a moment to reflect on what God has done for you. This could be something as easy as taking a moment to realize that although you have a janeky car, you got back to school safely. (I own a 1992 Ford Taurus, his name is grandpa and let me tell you he is on is last leg....) OR after reading your bible, taking time to just think and pray about what you have read.

(Backtracking) This year me and my dad have decided to attempt yet again reading the bible in a year. This year unlike any other year we decided to start in the New Testament (Matthew) instead of beginning in the Old Testament (Genesis). Since we have been doing this I decided what better way to practice meditation than taking an aspect of life that I already have set in place, and expanding it! I wanted to take my bible and read and after I read through the verses for the day, I wanted to sit and reflect on what I read. Pray about it. Take time to really soak in what I have read.

Amazingly this time I actually accomplished what I set out to do. Basically as I read I kept thinking one thing! Jesus is AWESOME! As I sat and read I was just in aww of all that he has done! His teachings, how he talked to people!!!! I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am about reading my bible!!!! (I apologize for all the exclamation marks :)) I was so excited to sit and read my bible. I came to my bible reading not only spending 15 minuets reading my bible, But than I sat for another hour thinking about what I read, praying and texting my dad about all I read! HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!!!!

I do not think I have ever been so excited about bible reading before. I think I have always come to reading my bible as a chore, as something I had to do because I was supposed to be a "good" Christian. But I think taking time to meditate on what I have read has really changed my heart toward what the bible has to say and how God is speaking to me through his word. I think this is a great way to approach the bible. Taking time to not only read but to also think about what those words mean to your life. Now I am not saying sit for an extra hour, that may be a little excessive.... But give me some credit I am at a bible college this is not out of the usual (at least I don't think) But I am saying if you read right before bed, in your prayers ask God to guide you like the people you are reading about. Or help me to learn from what i have read. Or if you read your bible at lunch take a moment before you eat to ask God to speak to you through the reading of his word and purposefully take a moment to think about what you are reading. Like usual I am not sure if I have made any sense  But this is what I have thought about as I meditated on God's word this weekend. I also want to point out that this is a practice I want to continue, even if it is not daily.

Have a great week!!!

-Em