{"id":1707,"date":"2018-03-16T20:21:26","date_gmt":"2018-03-17T01:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/belovedlove.org\/reflections\/?p=1707"},"modified":"2019-05-17T13:15:53","modified_gmt":"2019-05-17T18:15:53","slug":"meditating-gods-presence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belovedlove.org\/reflections\/2018\/03\/16\/meditating-gods-presence\/","title":{"rendered":"Breathing In God’s Presence"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Sunset<\/a>Breathing In God’s Presence: \u00a0Breathe Series, Part 2<\/h2>\n

by Lydia Floren<\/p>\n

I eat fast. Too fast. I\u2019ve mentioned this\u00a0before<\/a> \ud83d\ude0a. When I eat quickly, I do so for one reason: so that I will no longer feel hungry.\u00a0 I get that.\u00a0 But in order to \u201cexperience\u201d a meal (as I think most foodies must do) I\u2019ve learned it is important to slow down. When I do, I can appreciate the tastes that cross my palate, the combination of flavors and textures. And eating slowly gives me the opportunity to enjoy my dinner companions. I have found that when I \u201cdine\u201d like this, the whole experience – delicious and delightful – becomes imprinted in my memory.\u00a0 So, whenever I think about it, it brings a smile to my face.<\/p>\n

That is what meditating on God\u2019s word is.<\/p>\n

Meditating?<\/h3>\n

I know, I know. I\u2019m just like you. When I think of meditation, I envision eyes closed, legs crossed, elbows on knees, fingers touching, humming to new-age music.\u00a0 But Christian meditation is far different.\u00a0 It is not emptying the mind but filling it with the truth – and the Presence – of the One God.<\/p>\n

When we focus on one or two verses, or even one or two words<\/em> from the Bible we are able savor the truth offered to us.\u00a0 For example, a few years ago my friend Debra was going through a very difficult time. She told me later that these nine\u00a0words were her lifeline:\u00a0 \u201cThe Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are links to some other examples of meditation:<\/p>\n

Meditation<\/a><\/p>\n

Polishing<\/a><\/p>\n

Christian meditation involves spending some time in solitude and silence, thinking about just a few verses, or part of one verse. When we do this, we experience God\u2019s presence and taste His fruit. And that experience lingers in our memory. Every time it comes to mind, it lifts our hearts and makes us smile.<\/p>\n

So take time every day to partake of the rich meal God has set before you. Take a bite, and then another. Relish the food and the conversation. Enjoy the company of The Most Amazing Person in the Universe, the one who knows you best and loves you most.<\/p>\n

“My cup overflows.” Psalm 23<\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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