From now on brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things.
Philippians 4:8a (CEB)
I have lived most of my life as a Martha. I obtain a great deal of satisfaction from accomplishing some new task. My two adult sons know that an easy way to gain my attention is to say, “Mom, I have a project that might interest you.” In my life as a pastor there were many times when I could not see any signs of progress as I was teaching and preaching. Some days I just appreciated being able to add a new photo or an article to the website, because the results were obvious.
In recent years, as I prepared for retirement, I began to pay more attention to my Mary side. I have always had a deep spiritual life, but I have been more drawn to walking a labyrinth than to sitting quietly in centering prayer. Last week I joined a small group that is beginning to study Richard Foster’s classic book, Celebration of Discipline. I had read Foster’s book before, even taught from it, but this time I am seeing it with new eyes and a new heart.
The first spiritual discipline Foster introduced was meditation. It was not prayer, not scripture reading, and certainly not fasting. Meditation is a discipline of being, not of doing. It is an attitude and an approach to life that begins with being still and knowing God’s presence. I am happy that I met many Christians while serving in a local church who knew how to put their faith to work, but as a retired pastor I have a new and deeper appreciation for people who are willing and able to sit at the feet of Jesus and meditate on his message.
Prayer: Loving Savior, help me to quiet my body, mind, and spirit, so that I can listen to your voice and meditate on your message for me today. Amen.