One of the arts which has nearly disappeared from our evangelical circles is related to the mind, namely, the practice of meditation. This tragic evanescence should not surprise us, for our frantic world has set the metronome and the heartbeat of society follows its boisterous tempo as if the dance would be nearly sacred. Needless to say, it becomes virtually impossible to cogitate productively in such a frenetic rhythm. Only the person refusing to join the dance of the nations will be able to enter the Sanctuary where the divine hush inspires reflection. Only in this mental environment will the soul understand the meaning of the lines drawn on the canvas of silence.

The example of the sheep

In several occasions the Scriptures compare Christians to sheep. As they, we are vulnerable and in need of protection; we are both social entities hardly able to survive when isolated from the flock.

The similarities between them and us are indeed numerous, but there is a meaningful resemblance I would like to highlight, i.e., sheep are ruminant. Their digestive system is such that the forage must be chewed several times to ensure a maximum benefit. Without this peculiar process little nutrition would be absorbed and a deficient health would follow. Surely, this is an adequate simile. The Word of God is so rich and His thoughts so elevated that a passive reception will do us little good; not only we must chew well what divine providence supplies, but we must also ruminate it, i.e., time and again our mind must mull over that portion of truth which has been so graciously bestowed upon us. Only within the borders of a meditating mind can the divine counsels yield all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:2). No wonder the Scripture exhorts us to elevate our mind above all distractions and muse on the eternal verities able to convert the mind and restore the soul.

Another thing to notice about the ruminants is that they mostly ruminate while lying down, often in a place of quietude and security. For us, Christians, it evokes a necessary mental state. We can be standing or walking, in a bus or metro, inside or outside, yet the mind must reach a place of stillness without which rumination is impossible. Furthermore, we must understand that only what has been eaten can be ruminated. The Good Shepherd knows it very well and He is willing to lead us where pasture can be found. The sheep is simply required to follow. Even if a passage through the valley of the shadow of death is needed the real sheep will not fear, for where trust dwells the steps are established. Such a one will eat in green pasture and ruminate by still waters, away from the beaten track trod upon by the more timid and doubtful sheep.

The importance of meditation

The Bible makes clear that without meditation success can hardly be achieved. The psalmist declares: “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:99). As for God, He told Joshua that meditation is the doorway of obedience and consequently the gate of success:

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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” (Joshua 1:8).

We also have David affirming that greenness and fruitfulness follow the person whose mind abides in the shadow of God’s Law:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:2,3).

Moreover, Malachi contributes to the praise of the practice by saying that the book of remembrance is written for those who meditate on His name:

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name” (Mal. 3:16).

Likewise Paul writes to Timothy telling him that evident progress is only possible for the person whose mind dwells in the garden of God:

Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Tim. 4:15).

All these recommendations are guideposts for whosoever intends to ascend and progress. The pilgrim who strays from them will surely miss the mark. He will eventually meditate on futilities or terror (Isaiah 33:18) and descend where the multitudes gather.

An example of meditation

Before ending I would like to leave you with an example of meditation everyone can relate to. It has been encapsulated in the term ‘worrying’. In this meditative mode the mind cogitates on and gravitates towards all sorts of negative prospects. It gives turns to alarming possibilities, dissects them in pieces, and broods over them in a near surrender. Even in the charivari of life the mind remains absorbed and manages to concentrate on the gloomy expectations as if silence would reign. Before long the whole person becomes ill affected. The nights are long and the days ferocious. Such is the legacy of darkened meditation.

But what about the meditation of Life and Light? What happens when the mind is immerged in God’s counsel, in His thoughts and logic, absorbed by purity and beauty? Brethren and friends! It is life imparting. It boosts the health and heals the heart. It is like a fireplace on a gelid wintery day, or as the shadow of a great rock in scorching summer. There is no greater therapy on this side of eternity. No wonder the apostle to the gentiles exhorts us to get acquainted with such a glorious practice: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). The person who pays heed to such a holy counsel will bloom, flourish, and succeed. He will repose on the breast of Wisdom, and this, even in a world of chaos and frantic activities.

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