As I mentioned recently I decided to end my blogging ministry Putting on the New. It was a wonderful experience. I’ve chosen to share some of the posts I wrote there occassionally, and this one seemed like a good one to share today.
(From the Putting on the New archives).
A while back one of the sermons in our church was about what you meditate on every day. In other words, what are the words or objects that you continually go back to? Our pastor mentioned that everyone meditates on something every day, so you should be careful to fill your head with positive words. Mediate on the positive.
This is a no-brainer, right? Well, not always. Not for some of us, especially those that grew up being told we weren’t worthy. We gravitate toward the negative because that’s what we know, so we assume it is truth and love.
But God’s truth isn’t hurtful or negative. I’ve learned that in my adult years, and the things I meditate on are often inspired by Him.
For instance, “I Trust in Jesus” by Third Day. Now, I love love love lead singer Mac Powell’s voice. Some days I meditate on the refrain from this song.
As long as we’re talking about Third Day, here’s another: “Revelation.” I think Powell’s vocals really bring this song to a spiritual level for me. When he starts out with, “My life…” wow – I want to pull up a chair and listen. But again, it’s these words:
“Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been trying to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You”
that really hit home for me.
I also like to meditate on “Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave.
I also like that Mike Weaver chose to talk about what the song meant to him. I think it’s important to share the moments that we felt lost in our life, so we can celebrate that feeling of “being found.” You don’t have to be a new Christian to feel this. Sometimes our life hits bad spots. Bumpy roads. And as a result we need to find our way. When we finally connect and feel what God is trying to do in our lives, it creates such joy that it actually makes you appreciate the lessons you go through.
I also meditate on certain passages from the Bible. The 23rd Psalm is one of my favorites. I know everyone says that. It’s the rock star of Psalms, but it’s a good one. I meditate on “He leads me…”
I also think about 2 Corinthians 5:7, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” It reminds me to trust.
I like Acts 16:31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
I like Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I also like Mary Oliver’s “The Summer Day“ and that famous last line, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
I like Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” and “Phenomenal Woman.”
I also like John 4:19, “We love, because He first loved us.”
Yeah. I like that one a lot.
The point is, find the line that most speaks to you, and read it over and over. You’ll know you’ve found it when you go back to it. When you’re thinking of something else but it pops into your head and makes you see things more clearly and feel loved.
For more inspiration from the Psalms, considering taking one of my Painting the Psalms ecourses or pick up my book, Painting the Psalms. My ecourses are individual mixed media projects you can do in the privacy of your own home, at your own speed. Each project is different in terms of technique, composition, and supplies, but they all are inspired by the Psalms in some way.
My book Painting the Psalms is half art book, half devotional. It contains over 100 paintings, all inspired by the Psalms.
