celebration of discipline: meditation, definition and biblical importance

The first four disciplines, meditation, prayer, fasting and study, are grouped as the "inner disciplines". I plan on taking each discipline, breaking out subsections and discussing each. The first being meditation.

Foster begins by stating the biblical significance of meditation. He does this in most of the chapters. From the psalmists, to Eli teaching Samuel, to Jeremiah, to Jesus, the bible is smattered with the discipline of meditation. He defines it simply, time spent with God, listening. In his own words, "the ability to hear God's voice and obey his word" (p17). If you desire to commune with God, repentance and obedience will be key features in your practice.

The idea of sitting in silence awaiting direction is completely opposite of what the world deems as "productive". We surround ourselves with noise, hurry, crowds, music, TV. Whatever we can to avoid quiet and a perceived loneliness. But here, the Lord wants us to have that silence. Only when we are quiet can we truly listen.

This truth show us that God wants to communicate with us. He wants to be in fellowship with me, now that's an awesome thought. Scripture shows God fulfilling this desire. The Lord often called Moses to him, sometimes for days, to speak with him. And when the Israelites refused God's intimacy (Exodus 20:19), the Lord communicated through prophets and judges.

celebration of discipline

The first book I'm dissecting is Richard Foster's The Celebration of Discipline. Although the title makes this book sound anything but awesome, the density of wisdom and spiritual practices are astounding. Foster establishes twelve disciplines practiced by ancient and modern spiritual leaders and one by one explores their significance in the Christian life. Most Christian books I've read have had amazing stories or examples of God's presence, this book explains how to receive that presence. If every follower of Christ would read this book and apply its disciplines, the results would be unimaginable. Seems like a good place to start.

The disciplines are:

1. Meditation
2. Prayer
3. Fasting
4. Study
5. Simplicity
6. Solitude
7. Submission
8. Service
9. Confession
10. Worship
11. Guidance
12. Celebration

the beginning

Have you ever been led to do something that you really can't explain? Call it divine urges, inclinations or haunting ideas. For whatever reason, I've decided to at least start down a path, hear out these voices.

I've read some great books and learned fabulous lessons in my life. Thing is, my mind is in shambles. I can't remember anything anymore. I'm in a mental hangover, a fog. I venture to say that the whole "well rounded student" idea really does have some merit afterall. Because now that I've started a career and only focus on one area of "study", the other parts of my brain have become flabby. A very subtle numbness has overtaken me. I need to start something new. So why not a blog?

You see, I don't really like to write. Actually, I don't like to read either. But I'll blame that one on my childhood fear of the God foresaken concrete hulk (library) and the underemphasis of books in my home. However, I do like to study or at least, I did like to study. So as I force myself to do two things I dislike, I hope some transformation happens.

I don't expect anyone to read this. I can barely write. I use to many commas and far too many "I"'s. My grammar sucks too. But this isn't about an audience. This is about transforming, becoming sharper, focusing. Focus on what? God. All day long. No matter what I'm doing, thinking about, saying, I want my whole being to be a magnifying glass directing a pin dot of light upon God. I've experienced glimpses of this goal. What a wonderful thing to be in constant communion with the Father. I want to feel that again, to feel the Lord alive in me, dominating my thoughts, directing my heart. O, what a desire.

So here I am, humbled and broken, listening to my whispers. May I find God's healing companionship.