Noise, hurry, distractions, addictions and loss of the meaning of life are our adversaries, preventing us from living a joyful abundant life. Psychiatrist C. G. Jung once remarked, “Hurry is not of the Devil: it is the Devil.” In order to escape these trappings of our culture, we need to learn to continuously connect with Jesus Christ; the source of life. John, the disciple of Christ, while talking about Jesus, said, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). The reason most of us don’t set aside time daily to communicate with God is that we are not confident whether we’ll experience God’s presence and converse with God, revealed in Jesus Christ. However, we can practice habits that will help us create silence and space for God to speak to our hearts and mind.
Mediating on God’s Word is one such habit that helps us practice the presence of God. Meditation refers to a time of quiet reflection in God’s presence. Our goal during mediation is not to force ourselves into a mystical experience or deep insight, but to focus our affections and attention on God. We quietly read the words to which God has led us in Scripture, and mull over them; savouring and deeply thinking over the passage. Mary, the mother of Jesus, exemplified the practice of meditation. As the amazing events of the birth of Christ unfolded around virgin Mary, we are told she, “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
The Word of God sheds light on our thoughts and experiences, and permits God to connect truth to our lives. The Word speaks directly to our concerns, decisions, hopes and dreams, and God’s will for us in all of it. As we begin to meditate we will overcome our adversaries and experience the joy of abundant living.