“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV). Meditation?! Contemplation?! Are you kidding me? Do you know how busy I am? These are my initial thoughts when I first approach the topic of meditation and contemplation, and honestly, these thoughts probably echo the sentiments of most people in our twenty-first-century culture. We live in a fast-paced, go, go, go world where, if you take time to pause and reflect, you are not productive enough. This is the world of social media and multitasking. We fill our days with emails, text messages, robo-calls, and our nights with fast food, quick meetings, and binge-watching Netflix or Youtube. Keep up, or you get left behind!
STOP! Slow down! The ESV translation of Psalm 46:10 actually says “Stop your fighting – and know that I am God.” I really need to hear that, along with the words of Joyce Huggett. “In the stillness we can shed some of the pressures which would prevent us from receiving God’s Word into the innermost core of our being. Such stillness is to the Bible reading what preparing the soil is to good farming. Essential for fruitfulness.” I need to hear this and remind myself, along with my students, that before I open the Bible I must be still and take time to stop fighting, be still, and contemplate the greatness of God and His everlasting love. Then, this great God will work through the timeless truth of His mighty Word to produce within my troubled spirit His fruit.
In the stillness we can shed some of the pressures which would prevent us from receiving God’s Word into the innermost core of our being. Such stillness is to the Bible reading what preparing the soil is to good farming. Essential for fruitfulness.
Joyce Huggett
As believers, it is critical that we center our time in reflection on God’s Word. Personally, I enjoy spending time sitting outside on my deck reading the Scriptures (particularly the Psalms) and then simply allowing my mind to imagine what it must have been like to hear David praise God. I would also suggest listening to an audio version of the Bible (try The Listener’s Bible by Max McLean @listenersbible.com). It is relaxing and challenging to listen to the Word of God while you are sitting and being still.
Over the centuries and around the world men and women consistently recognize the immense value found in rest and reflection. Meditation and contemplation on God and His revelation is as vital to the life of the believer as air, water and food are to any living thing. I am convinced that in our busy, fast paced, hectic world that I am way too busy to not spend time in quiet, meditation and contemplation before the Lord and His Word.
Greg Allgood currently serves as Instructor of Christian Studies and Associate Director of Campus Worship at Anderson University. Prior to joining the full-time faculty, Greg was the Director of Campus Ministries. He has a passion for ministering to college students and watching them grow in their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.
A 1982 graduate of Anderson University, Greg grew up in the upstate of South Carolina. He completed his BA in Communications from Carson-Newman College in 1985 and received his Masters in Communication from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1987. Before coming to Anderson as Church/ College Relations Coordinator in 2000, Greg served for twelve years in two different youth ministry positions. Greg has also served as an Instructor of Speech/Theatre at the University.