Slow Your Roll

Perhaps this, too, would be an appropriate title for chapter 2 or perhaps even for this book. "Slow Your Roll" by Richard Foster. It is definitely something I had been needing to do leading up to this reading.

"In meditation we are growing into what Thomas a Kempis calls "a familiar friendship with Jesus." (p. 19) It seems that in those quiet moments with God, we are practicing our Father's presence. Inhaling, exhaling, inhaling, exhaling. He is becoming familiar, recognizable, intimate.

"What happens in meditation is that we create the emotional and spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an inner sanctuary in the heart." (p.20) I remember reading a small book in high school called My Heart, Christ's Home. It wrote of how Christ makes a home, a dwelling place for His Spirit in our hearts. Foster echoes that statement that it is through meditation on Him, on His Word, in His presence, that our hearts become good "hosts." The spirit can dwell.

"Meditation sends us into our ordinary world with greater perspective and balance." (p.22) I often substitute meditation on the Lord for activities that I think will refresh me fully: Sleep, coffee, friends, no work, nature. Yes, these things help refresh to some extent, but it seems that come Monday morning, I am never quite ready to go back into the ordinary world with perspective and balance. Lord, I need You, the Ultimate Battery Charger!

"For to be in the presence of God is to change." (p.24) Yes, please.

"This work [contemplation] involves all of life. It is a twenty-four hour-a-day job. Contemplative prayer is a way of life. "Pray without ceasing..." (p.27) Inhaling and exhaling, inhaling and exhaling. Dear Lord, help me not compartmentalize you during my day so that you only get 10 minutes here or 15 minutes there. Help me to breathe you in, keep you a heavy presence in any time and under every circumstance. Help me to accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in my heart. Help me to slow my roll. Amen.