Spiritual Disciplines: Meditation

I've been absent from posting recently due to a hectic schedule.

I'm currently focused on the role spiritual disciplines play in the life of the holiness Christian. Yes, spiritual disciplines such as meditation, prayer, fasting, charity, etc. play a vital role in the spiritual formation of the holiness Christian. While the disiciplines orient one to the leading of the Holy Spirit, it is important to note that it is the Spirit that does the work, not man.

Meditation is a spiritual discipline strongly endorsed by early church fathers and mothers. In the "new age" world, many think meditation is a bad thing (i.e transcendental meditation). Not the case here.

Christians on the journey need to take time for meditation. Meditation entails focus on God and God alone. Meditation entails some semblance of solitude.

The cares of the world can weigh down an aspiring Christian, impeding effective meditation.

Here are some thoughts on becoming more single-hearted in meditation:

• Detaching from worldly things. Consider what you can prune from your life that distracts you from focused meditation on God. Pray for guidance.
• Simplify your life. Often, our lives are consumed in overwhelming, trivial matters. What can you do to simplify your life so you can focus on what matters most--your relationship with God.
• Set time aside to meditate. Ever consider setting an entire day aside just for meditation and prayer? It may be just what the doctor ordered.

Meditation is one of many disciplines to consider as we aspire to open our hearts and minds to God.

Employing spiritual disicplines is a deliberate, willful act we can undertake to pursue God more vigorously in our lives.