“I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.”
Psalm 119:15 NLT
My Christian life started as a sprint; it was a pace I was couldn’t maintain. It was a race I had done no training for, so my way of living for and thinking about God were at odds. I was an enthusiastic disciple, whose choices often failed to reflect God’s word. I needed to engage in some training so I might discover what God’s word actually said.
My natural inclination is to rush to action. I’m happier undoing the mess I get myself into than planning to avoid it in the first place. So this was my approach to discipleship in those early years. It meant I ran out of energy within six years and imploded. Now I had a chance to think, if I chose to take it. I spent most of that recovery time expressing my frustration at being laid up. Still it was my first insight into the role of considering the ways of God before rushing full-steam ahead assuming I knew what I was doing.
Language is subtle. We each hear what we choose to listen to. Establishing an appreciation of God’s word demands a little more thought than that. I have taken myself in hand, slowed my pace of life down and created space for consideration. This is why it is essential to take time each day to be with God.
Life’s circumstances change and we will need to learn how to engage with God’s word in a variety of situations. God gives us all we need to comprehend his word. However, we need to gather these things up into our heart and ponder them. This lies at the core of meditation. Taking time to read and reflect around what God is saying both in general and also specifically to me.
QUESTION
How do you live your walk of discipleship
PRAYER
Lord, I cannot make time, but I can choose how I spend the time I have. Help me to prioritise time reflecting on your ways and your word.
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