How to Meditate, Part 3

The scriptures need to be the centerpiece of your meditation, second only to Jesus Himself. Since meditation is all about changing the attitudes of our hearts, we need a measuring rod to tell us what needs to be changed. This is the role of scripture, to teach us right from wrong, so we can prayerfully, humbly, and confidently approach the Lord and ask Him to minister to our hearts in these areas.

Finally, Christian growth is a process that starts when we come to know God and ends when we finally see Him face to face. Either by death or the rapture, that is the only way to achieve perfect maturity as a Christian.

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." 1 John 3:2-3, ESV

Mditation, then, is an ongoing process of growth that the Christian should embrace. It incorporates the mind as well as the heart and spirit, and it is all about growing closer to Christ. It is about submitting different aspects of our lives to Him, one by one, until our entire hearts have been completely submitted to Christ and He rules over every single area.

"Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday." Psalm 37:5-6, AMP

Like the rising of the sun described in Psalm 37:6, this process takes time, starting slowly, and shining brighter until it reaches its peak. So, I encourage you to be patient with yourself. Likewise, this process is very systematic. So, I encourage you to device a "meditation plan". Identify the major areas of your life that need to be submitted to the Lord, make a list of them, prioritize them, and then start applying the scriptures to them one by one. Once the list is complete, make another one, and start the process all over. You will never run out of things to put on the list, and if you do, just ask the Lord for His guidance. He will be able to fill your list.

Make room in your plan to go back and review those items that you have completed. This is called "maintenance." As we go through life, our environment, the people that we come into contact with, and the hurts and pains of life, will all have an effect on our minds and hearts. So, this, along with repentance, is a vital part of our growth. The continual washing of our feet as we walk through this dirty world (see John 13:10).
Keep in mind, however, that the goal is never to become sinless or perfect. The goal is simply to grow closer to Jesus and to build a closer and more intimate relationship with Him. To open your heart to His love and grace and train your mind and heart to trust in Him regardless of the outward circumstances of this world. After all, we are called to "be in the world, not of it".

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13, ESV