Meditate upon these things;give thyself wholly to them;that thy profiting may appear to all.(1 Tim. 4:15)
The part that intrigues me about this verse about meditating
on the scriptures is that phrase “give thyself wholly to them.” I suppose it could be interpreted in
several ways. Undoubtedly some
would take it to mean they should spend all their time pondering the gospel and
doctrine and studying the scriptures.
I don’t know how long it is possible to ponder the doctrine, but I’ve
found that my pride gets involved and I start thinking self-righteous
thoughts. I also become somewhat
of a spiritual hypochondriac, so I simply must do other things besides study
the scriptures all day.
I do know that when I study the scriptures and ponder them,
I have to give my whole mental and emotional energy to it or I won’t get much
from it. I can’t be too eager to
stop or too worried about what I learn or don’t learn. I have to just lose myself in it.
When I look at how many things I’ve learned from it (many of
which I have written about in my scripture journal and on my blog) it is
obvious to me that I have profited from it.
How do you give yourself “wholly” to your scripture
study? What do you think it means to "meditate" on the scriptures?
One way that I give myself "wholly" to my scripture study is to actually apply what I'm learning. It is important to hear and do.
ReplyDeleteI have found that there are so many things that the Lord has been willing to teach me, and I'm eager to learn, but sometimes have a hard time actually applying the principles taught in my life.
That's the real magic of scripture study - being able to make real, visible change.
I agree, Catania, applying the principles can be hard.
ReplyDeleteGood question
ReplyDeleteI have endeavored to "focus my scripture study" by adding "helps or prompts". One thing that prompts me to study and mediate or seek a better understanding of what I have read, is when I am searching out an ancestor on Family Search, and each time I am successful, I ponder over what is "The Spirit of Elijah"? Which then motivates me to do a scripture search, which may lead to a really great conference talk, say one by Elder Bednar.
I try to learn from those who have gone before, say the Prophet Joseph Smith. My "prompt" from him is that he asked a question, and showed sufficient faith to have it answered. And this seemed to be his routine throughout his life.
So I have a list of questions, either written or in my head, and I ponder over that question, and then I search certain scriptures that refer to my question, and so forth.
So I feel that I have given myself "wholly" to the scriptures when at times I am rewarded.The scriptures will "open up" more fully, and then especially when I am in the Temple, I can "see" what it is that I am learning. My temple experiences have improved for example. My teaching is progressing.My faith is stronger and my love grows for the Savior.
It is a process. There is a great article in this month's Ensign by President Erying that applies to this subject.
That's neat that you have a list of questions you ponder as you are studying, Ramona. Do you have them written down, or do they immediately come to mind as you are studying?
ReplyDeleteI find that questions are really a big part of getting more out of the scriptures.
I have a journal that is totally deconstructed, so when I am reading my scriptures or brain storming something that I have found that is totally fascinating, I jot down buzz words. I will form a question from the buzz words, and look them up in a variety of places. I paste in clippings that relate to my question. My favorite thing to do is to take a word and find out what it means in Hebrew, or Aramaic or Greek.
ReplyDeleteSo I make a short list of buzz questions. I don't always find an answer immediately, but I find that when I review them later, I have answers.
But sometimes Michaela, there are moments of pure serindipity when the answer is illuminated and I can just feel the Spirit teaching me everything. I find I have to be a very fast writer.