A few days ago we talked about the 'mechanics' of Meditation: when and where to have our quiet time, alone with God. But, in another sense, we are to have the Mind of Christ throughout our day. It will do us little good to spend time meditating in the morning, then use the rest of the day in vain pursuits. If our days are filled with strife, anger, lies, jealousy, gossip and lust, how can we expect the time spent in Meditation to possibly bring us closer to God?
The scriptures tell us to "...pray without ceasing." I Thess. 5:17. I think it is within reason to expand that to mean "meditate without ceasing." Psalms 1:2 says, "his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night." Brother Lawrence is an excellent example, as retold in his "Practicing the Presence," of someone who was in constant contact with God. In our own time, Thomas Kelly, stands as a testament to a life lived within the presence of God. Frank Laubach's "Game of Minutes" proposes thinking of God for at least one second out of every minute! While we may not be at that place yet, we can bring our attention back to God throughout our day.
Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline, writes about Holy Leisure: "The church Fathers often spoke of Otium Sanctum, “holy leisure.” It refers to a sense of balance in the life, an ability to be at peace through the activities of the day, an ability to rest and take time to enjoy beauty, an ability to pace ourselves. With our tendency to define people in terms of what they produce, we would do well to cultivate 'holy leisure.' "
We can bring the rest of our day under God's control. We can calm our minds and bring our thoughts back to Him. Our whole day can be a preparation for the times we spend in Meditation. Imagine how our lives would change if we were living in union with the Spirit every minute of every day.
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