Thursday, January 15th

The second word of “How-to”, meditate. Meditate in the Hebrew is hagah most literally means murmur, which refers to the ancient practice of people reading scripture quietly under their breath. But it can also mean to growl over, like a dog with a bone, we chew on scripture to get the marrow out of it. To meditate on scripture means to chew on it and get all that we can from it.

Have you ever thought about how fast you chew? Or how many times you chew food before you swallow? I get it, depends on the food. Health experts say it is best to chew 22-25 times before you swallow. Try it today at lunch and see what happens.

I share that, because that’s the beauty of what it means to meditate. If we just look for a 15 sec reel with scripture, we will be chewing fast. But if we meditate on scripture and take our time with it, it will mean more and make a greater difference.

A way to meditate is with the tradition of Lectio Divina, divine reading. This is from the ancient monastic tradition where they would slowly, prayerfully, read over scripture. Lectio is a simple, five-step process of listening for God’s voice as you move through a short passage of Scripture.

- Read (lectio) the passage slowly, paying close attention to what stands out to you and what you sense the Spirit is highlighting to your mind or heart.

- Meditate (meditatio). “Chew” on it. Re-read the passages a few more times and reflect on those words or ideas.

- Pray (oratio). Turn what you are hearing into a prayer back to God.

- Contemplate (contemplatio). Spend a few minutes sitting in God’s presence to reflect on and enjoy his love and attention. Hearing God’s loving Word for the setting or situation you are in. John 15:1-17, 17:20-26 (abide/union)

- Obey- put it into action, put it into practice. Matthew 7 is the wise and foolish builder, but what was the key? Foundation, the foundation, building on the rock was … everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man.

Read either the entire passage or maybe a portion of the passage and apply Lectio Divina, meditation.

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”