Meditation is not a confusing activity. In a sense, meditation is just positive worry. If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. To practice, take the statement from Psalm 16:8: “I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Say these words out loud several times, and let them roll around in your mind.

“I have set the LORD always before me. . . .” Take some time to imagine how this might get actually experienced in your life. What would it be like to wake up with God on my mind? What would it feel like at night if I were aware of him as I dropped off to sleep? What would my conversations be like with other people if God were the unseen third party present? What would work or school be like if I were continuously speaking to God as I sat at my desk, asking for his help and guidance, not carrying the burden by myself?

I reflect on the idea that the Lord is “at my right hand.” The right hand was assumed in biblical times to be the hand of action, the hand that does the work. Therefore the right hand was the place of honor. (If you are left-handed and don’t like that, too bad! The Bible is right-handed.)

Because “I will not be shaken,” I picture myself receiving bad news, facing opposition; picturing somebody important who doesn’t like me. My work goes badly, but I’m not shaken. I’m living in peace.

As I meditate, these thoughts move from my head to my heart. I begin to think, “I want a life like that.” Then these thoughts move to my will: “God, I choose for my life to be so. I will do whatever is needed to have it so.” — God Is Closer Than You Think: This Can Be the Greatest Moment of Your Life Because This Moment Is the Place Where You Can Meet God (John Ortberg)

 

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