These days, most of us are distracted. Constant access to technology and a steady diet of scrolling has highjacked our attention spans. In his book Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again, author Johann Hari writes that the typical office worker can’t concentrate for longer than three minutes before being interrupted by a distraction. In several studies, mediation has been shown to improve our ability to pay attention [1]. Still, if you mention the topic of meditation, many Christians will furrow their brows. For most people, meditation is associated with eastern religion or is something to be done in a yoga studio. But the truth is, mediation is thoroughly biblical. Here are a few examples of what the Bible says about meditation:
- “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do” (Josh. 1:8).
- “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams] that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psa. 1:1-3).
- “I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways. I will delight in your statutes, I will not forget your word” (Psa. 119:15-16).
So, what does it mean to meditate?
In his classic book, Knowing God, J.I. Packer described meditation this way: “Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes of God.”[2] Packer goes as far as to say that meditation is how we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God. In other words, it’s the process where we transition from “knowing about God” to actually knowing Him.
So, practically speaking, how does meditation work? Consider choosing a specific Scripture and thinking about it from every possible aspect. Modern-day forms of mediation often promote the idea of “emptying our minds.” That’s not the case with biblical meditation; it’s just the opposite. To meditate is to fill our minds with Scripture and contemplate it from every angle. As we think deeply on the truths of Scripture, it’s beneficial to assign a picture in our minds to the verse we are studying. God has equipped us with vivid imaginations, and we can paint mental pictures. Doing so allows us to personalize the passage. Meditation can be done anywhere. You don’t have to sit on a mat or pose in a meditative stance (although you can if you want to). You can meditate during your Bible reading, while you’re doing chores and going about your day, or before you go to sleep at night.
The benefits of mediation are immediate. Refocusing our minds on God and the promises of Scripture strengthens our faith, helps with worry and anxiety, and provides biblical perspective to our situations. If we engage in daily biblical mediation, Scripture promises we will be prosperous and successful (Josh. 1:8, Psa. 1:1-3). Keep in mind the prosperity and success referred to in these passages are from God’s perspective and not the world’s. Nevertheless, the benefits are immeasurable. If you are interested in learning more about biblical mediation, I encourage you to read, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney and Reclaiming the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation by Robert J. Morgan. Charles Spurgeon said, “The more you read the Bible; and the more you meditate on it, the more you will be astonished with it.[1] Let’s get started, shall we?
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[1] Johann Hari, Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again. (New York: Crown, 2022, 36).
[2] J.I. Packer, Knowing God, (Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity Press, 1973), 23.
[3] https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-meditation/
2 Responses
Wow! I really needed to hear this today. I work from home and have been struggling with brain fog and constant distractions from social media, news etc. It’s so hard to focus, in a world that is forever changing! I struggle with distractions daily and constantly asking God to help me redirect my thoughts. Your right…technology has high jacked our attention span. Thank you for the reminder of scripture promises. This is such a blessing!
Deborah- Everyone I talk to is struggling with distraction. I used to think it was something that needed to be “fixed” Now, I think it’s something we are all going to have to manage over the long haul. Great to hear from you, and thanks for reading!