It’s winter in New York City. The air temperature hovers just above freezing. A man puts on his wet suit and prepares to ride the waves at Long Beach, an area southeast of Queens where he lives. As he faces the water, he meditates on avoiding danger and prays to the ocean gods. His surfboard—a 9-foot Hawaiian-made job—features a picture of his now-deceased spiritual guru. The man says of the image, “It keeps me centered.”
This idea of being “centered” is a popular way to describe a state of emotional and spiritual equilibrium. It’s the goal of many modern—yet misguided—belief systems. As believers in Jesus, our inner strength and security comes from God (Habakkuk 3:19). When we contemplate who He is, what He does, how He relates to us, and what His Word says, we can experience peace even amid adversity.
David reflected on God when he was hiding from his enemies in the wilderness of Judah. He said, “I lie awake thinking of you [God], meditating on you through the night” (Psalm 63:6). Alone in the quiet of the evening, David was choosing not to waver or fixate on how he was going to get out of the mess he was in. Rather, his spirit was full of praise, prayer, and joy.
Psalm 63 provides some attributes of God for us to ponder. David’s spiritual “centeredness” likely related to these truths: God is powerful and glorious (Psalm 63:2); God’s love is unfailing (Psalm 63:3); God can satisfy our souls (Psalm 63:5); God helps us (Psalm 63:7); and God’s strong hand holds us securely (Psalm 63:8).
Whether we’re awake at night or distressed during the day, fixing our thoughts on God allows us to have the perfect peace that keeps us truly centered in this life (Isaiah 26:3).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Judges 16:22-31
More:
Look up Psalm 19:14 to learn about how David strived for a life centered on God.
Next:
How does Christian meditation differ from other nonbiblical forms? What attribute of God comforts you the most when you feel discouraged or distressed?
Gary Shultz on March 14, 2016 at 6:32 am
Hi Jennifer, it seems to me that many people have used godly principles to enrich aspects of their life. A moralist finds satisfaction in good living, patterns of scripture can be practiced with some resolve. As you draw out statements from the Psalms, the qualities of God are much more than disciplines. He is my Lord, Father and Friend, He desires a relationship and if that is not found all else collapses. I can’t tell you what attribute is applied at certain times, I can run under His wing and find all I need. Thanks Jennifer
gagirllive on March 14, 2016 at 8:18 am
Jennifer, I think what people are looking for when they say they want to be “centered” is peace. Real, true peace is that place of equilibrium that every human heart longs for. Sin has left us so broken and fractured, and we are forever searching for recovery…in all the wrong places. Our Lord Jesus is the only one who can “center” us. He alone gives us peace WITH God and the peace OF God that we so desperately need. The Psalm you referenced, as well as Isaiah 26:3, is replete with this theme…the longing to be centered in God. When we make Him our daily (and nightly) meditation, we can stay centered in this topsy-turvy world (or as David says, “this parched and weary land”). Thanks, Jennifer, for starting us off this Monday morning with this encouragement!
Tom Felten on March 14, 2016 at 8:53 am
Jen, I love how Paul presents where real peace is found; “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
sandy229 on March 14, 2016 at 9:33 am
Thank you Jennifer for reminding us that we were made for God’s purpose and not our own and that is the only way we can have true peace is through Him!! God seeks a relationship with us, that’s why He created us and He is always there waiting for us to return if we try to find any peace elsewhere. He waits for us to talk to Him and even longs for us to talk to Him, He is just so amazing and wonderful to know.
sdwise on March 14, 2016 at 10:08 am
Thank you Jennifer for reminding us that our focus should always be centered aroud Christ in order to have peace. If we constantly focus on who He is, what He did for us, what we can do to reflect His will and act accordingly; then we will be at peace even in the midst of this world’s chaos.
Mike Wittmer on March 14, 2016 at 10:24 am
This is a terrific post. We have a rich tradition of meditation and centering practices in the Christian faith. We should exhaust them rather than look elsewhere for peace.