Biblical Meditation Challenge, Part 2

“Sometimes prayer can feel like leaving a voicemail and waiting for a response—something that’s more focused on me and my needs… whereas, meditation has felt more like a direct phone call—focusing on connecting with God.” This week Meaghan shares how her experiences with biblical meditation have helped her learn to better abide with God and how He has used this connection to transform her.

Scriptures used in this week’s video: Joshua 1:8, Romans 12:2, Colossians 2:7

Scriptures used in this week’s study guide: Psalm 119:18, Psalm 19:14, Psalm 119:10-16

[Transcript]

Welcome back to Stir. Last week we started talking about biblical meditation, and the “how to” of it. So, if you haven’t seen Kami‘s video, make sure you go back and watch that one first. This week and next, we are continuing to focus on biblical meditation, but looking more specifically at the experience and benefit of it, by sharing our personal experiences.

Command to Meditate

In Joshua 1:8, we read, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

But what does meditate mean? As discussed last week, it’s not just reading the scripture or thinking about the scripture, it’s going to the next level. It starts with quietly reciting the same scripture out loud, daily, as a way to focus your attention so that the words become part of you.

For me, this led to God and His word being constantly and firmly attached to me—as a branch to a vine.

How I Got Started With Meditation

I have typically tried to wake up with God, through prayer and then Bible study. I read and try to think about and internalize what I am reading. What is this saying? What does it mean? What does it teach me about God? What instruction is there for me?

So, I took the same approach with mediation. I find that starting in the morning impacts and directs the rest of my day. With meditation, it was about homing in on one scripture or passage—taking a deep dive into it. More than a stronger understanding of the scripture, it became a closer connection to God. It opened up the line of communication. Sometimes prayer can feel like leaving voicemail and waiting for a response—something that’s more focused on me and my needs… whereas, meditation has felt more like a direct phone call—focusing on connecting with God. Having that closer connection to God, abiding with Him, really started to inspire change. As Romans 12:2 states, “[You will] be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Choosing a Passage and Waiting to Feel God's Response

The initial verse I meditated on was chosen because it was instructive in an area of weakness for me. So, as I began the challenge, I was feeling shame and inadequacy in thinking—or knowing!—I wasn’t really doing something as well as I should. As I meditated on this scripture and then on other related scriptures as the days and weeks went on, I felt God gently teaching and correcting me. My attitude turned from apprehension to eager anticipation and from feeling incomplete to experiencing delight. It wasn’t necessarily about doing different things, but doing them differently—adjusting my attitude and focus. Meditating on this one scripture brought it to mind multiple times a day and led me to exploring it more—looking up the connected verses, investigating the Hebrew and Greek words in those verses—which then brought more connection and deeper understanding.

I could feel God engaging with me throughout the day when a corresponding hymn would pop into mind or the scripture was brought up in conversation or in something else I was watching or reading.

Sharing and Customizing the Journey

I did begin this journey with someone, which was incredibly helpful and rewarding. We checked in with each other often and shared what we were learning, new understanding, related ideas and the incredible moments that were a result of this experience. I have continued to do that as I have continued this process and it has been invaluable. I encourage you to do this alongside someone else for even more added benefit.

I continued with the same scripture beyond 21 days because I felt led to do so. Since then, I have stuck with a given passage for several weeks or just a few days; there is definitely guidance on where God wants to take me next, as if He is right next to me, taking me by the hand and directing my steps. You have to try it. Everyone I know that has done it has had incredible outcomes. It may not impact you the same way, or right away, but it will ultimately change your spiritual life!

An Encouragement as You Begin

Finally, I love this scripture because I think it epitomizes the goal of Biblical meditation, and I’m using the New Living Translation because I especially appreciate the wording used: Colossians 2:7 - “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

See you next time.