Scripture Meditation Exercise

1. Still yourself

One of the hardest things to do in our daily busyness is simply stop. Being quiet usually produces boredom, anxiety, or drowsiness. But in order to embark on this exercise, you must be deliberately still. That means your body is still, your mind stops racing, and your thoughts become directed instead of reactive.
People often struggle with distractions when they pray. A few minutes preparation can help. Don’t trouble yourself with what you have to do later or what happened yesterday. Connect with right now; put soon and recently out of your mind. You can think about all that later. If you need to, write down ideas that come to you, things to do, etc. — "park them" on your pad of paper so they don’t interfere with your concentration, but you don’t forget them, either.

2. Invite God’s presence

Now acknowledge God is present with you. Thank Him for His never-failing companionship. Place yourself in His hands. Ask Him to help you be sensitive to His leadings. Invite Him to speak to you in whatever way is most needed.

3. Focus your thoughts

Now turn to Colossians 3:12-17. Read these verses several times. Don’t try to dissect the passage. Don’t worry about what you don’t understand; concentrate on what’s clear. Let the words speak to you in simplicity — let them "dwell in you richly."

4. Reflection and Personal Review

Keep your Bible open to Colossians 3. Use this passage-by-passage guide for a time of reflection and personal review. Write down your observations as you go (unless writing becomes a hindrance to uninterrupted meditation).

"AS GOD’S CHOSEN ONES, HOLY AND DEARLY LOVED ..."

Imagine ... the Sovereign God choosing you - knowing you, wanting you, pursuing you. Think back to the picture of the gracious father running to embrace the prodigal son. Picture God running to embrace you the very first time you repented — and every time since then. He has invited you to sit with Him at a banquet in your honor. Imagine Him declaring you forever perfect and holy in His eyes.
Ponder the thought that you are His beloved. Your presence and companionship matter to Him. God wants to be with you at this very moment. He doesn’t have to – but He desires to.

"WHATEVER YOU DO, IN WORD OR DEED, DO EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF JESUS ..."

Reflect on your spiritual journey lately – particularly as you have been consciously trying to live your everyday life "in Jesus’ name." What work has God been doing in you?

It might be helpful to make a note of some of the specific times when you got it right – times when you:

• Brought Jesus’ love and grace to bear in a difficult situation
• "Clothed yourself" with compassion, kindness, or patience
• Exercised humility when it would have been easier to exercise self-promotion
• Extended forgiveness or brought Christ’s spirit of peace and reconciliation to bear in a situation
• Confronted a situation head-on when avoidance would have been easier
  

Are you aware of any specific factors that helped you live like Jesus in those situations?
Take some time to reflect on the encouraging signs of growth that you have identified. Consider every new step of faith, trust, or obedience. His transforming work is happening inch-by-inch in your life.

Can you imagine His delight? One of His beloved children (you!) is making progress. Here you are – this very minute – seeking Him as best you know how. That’s exactly what He died to make possible. Sit quietly and allow yourself to receive His words of affirmation.

5. Receive forgiveness anew

Continue using the passage from Colossians, but turn your attention to those areas needing correction.
Reflect on the ways you have struggled, felt frustrated, or failed during the past month or so. Be specific and concrete.
Were there direct acts of disobedience? Perhaps you just neglected to do all that you could have lovingly done in a situation.

Do you notice any pattern in these experiences? Were there any common denominators: careless words, withholding love, spiritual timidity, a critical spirit, self-promotional tendencies, lust, greed, arrogance? What specific factors contributed to these less-than-successful attempts to live like Jesus?

Take a few moments to bring these areas to God in honest confession. Ask for His forgiveness, power, and help in each area.
Be sure you allow God to speak His words of forgiveness. If needed, refresh your mind in the truth of Psalm 103:8-14 and Philippians 1:6. Rest in His grace and trust His unwavering commitment to you and your growth.

"LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS ... AND BE THANKFUL ... WITH GRATITUDE IN YOUR HEARTS SING PSALMS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS TO GOD ..."

Now allow grace to become gratitude. Let your thankfulness find full and free expression. Let God know – and hear yourself say – how grateful you are for all that fills your life. If you’re able, even thank Him that the difficulties you face can become places where He will meet you and show Himself gracious on your behalf.

6. Review the experience

• Before you make the transition back into your daily activities, take a few minutes to reflect on what has just happened.
  
• What did you observe happening in yourself as you had this time of solitude?
  
• Did your mind wander?
  
• Did you talk to God about how hard it was to stay focused?
  
• Did it feel pleasant?
  
• What was the high point?
  
• When was it difficult?
  
• How would you summarize what happened if you had to tell someone about it right now?

(Excerpt from John Ortberg’s Living in Jesus’ Name Bible Study)