MEDITATION

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. (Ps 119:148)

Perhaps one of the most neglected disciplines in the Christian life these days is that of Meditation. I believe that very few Christians have been taught how important it is to pay close attention to what they think about.

Consider the following:

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Author Unknown

We have all heard the expression, "you are what you eat", but is also true to say "you are (and are becoming) what you think." Here is a challenge for you. Over the next few weeks take special note about what things you spend your time thinking about. Consider the following questions.

• Are you critical of others?
• Do you mope because you do not receive the praise you feel you deserve?
• How much time do you spend worrying about this or that?
• How much time do you spend grumbling or complaining or feeling sorry for your self?
• How much time do you spend thinking about the TV shows you watched last night?
• How much time do you re-live the bad things people do to you?
• Do you list out all your misfortunes?
• Do you allow yourself to be angry for long periods of time?
• Do you think about bad things happening to the people you are angry with?
• Do you think about bad things happening to yourself?
• Do you rejoice in the misfortunes of others?
• Do you dwell on lustful and impure thoughts?
• Do you glory in the important position you hold in church?
• Do you review reasons why you are better than others or better suited than others?
• Do you list reasons why others you know are deficient in some way as compared to yourself?

Did you know that you are what you are right now - not what you would like to be, nor what you ought to be, nor are you what you used to be. You are what you are today. Today, the 'real you' is shown by what you do and by what you think about in your heart - what you meditate on. Further, the things that you allow your heart to dwell on today is building what you will be for tomorrow and the tomorrow after that.