Greetings,

Recently, a fellowship group invited me to share on the topic of meditation. In fact, I am also learning. It is not too difficult to know what meditation is. It is not too difficult to know the skills. If you search on the Internet, you will definitely find some content that talks about how to practice in this area. However, meditation is a lifelong exercise, because the purpose of this, in my opinion, is to establish a relationship with God that belongs only to God and oneself.

Paul talked about meditation as a training in 1 Timothy 4. Why would he use training to describe meditation? It turns out that our faith is like swimming upstream. If we don’t deepen our relationship with God, there will be a current that pushes us back. This current is the values from the world. The further we are pushed behind, the farther we feel disconnect with our God, even to the point where we may have even forgotten our own faith.

There is a fundamental element to training, perseverance. Skill is important. However, in my experience, perseverance is more important. The reason why we can persevere is because we value the relationship with God. If we value a relationship, we will use various methods to maintain, build, and deepen this. If we don’t value it, no matter how effective the methods are, we may give up as soon as you encounter external challenges.

The purpose of meditation is to build a relationship with God. The manifestation of this relationship needs to be in words, actions, love, faith and works. It is also a manifestation of the whole person. Faith itself is not a part of life, but life itself. To have this kind of life, we must let God’s words speak to our hearts. In addition, we need to respond with prayer. All this is included in meditation.

Some people believe that spiritual practice is best done at a specific time. This is good. However, my experience tells me that it is impossible to fixate at a specific time. I still remember that when I was dating my wife, I would think of what she said not just at certain times, but almost whenever I had free time in my head. Paul said in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, whatever virtue there is, whatever praise is yours, do these things Thoughts.” I believe this is meditation, letting God’s words occupy our hearts. At this time, we will begin to receive the benefits of this spiritual practice, which is the establishment of an intimate relationship. And this relationship is not an ordinary relationship, but a personal relationship with God.

May God bless you all.

His servant,

Rev. Mark Liu