Focus Again
1 Timothy 4:15 NKJV
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
This is one of those verses that can read quite differently in different translations. I am going to list a few of them. We already read the New King James, where Paul tells Timothy to meditate on these things, and give yourself entirely to them. The NLT of the same verse says… "Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress." The CSB version reads… "Practice these things: be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all." The NASB "Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so your progress will be evident to all."
The Olive Tree Bible Dictionary definition for the word meditate reveals that it was taken from a combination of the Greek word for care and the word for to be of interest. So the broader definition is, "to consider, weigh, or ponder over something so as to be able to perform well."
Now, if we go back to our verses, we can see a theme emerge. Paul was encouraging Timothy to take seriously the things that were written to him. To consider them. To ponder over them so as to be able to perform well or make progress with them. The NLT may come closest when it says, "give your complete attention to these matters." If we were writing this letter to a dear friend or loved one today, we might encourage them to focus on these matters and then focus again. Any way we look at this verse, we can see we have a hand in our progress. By focusing on the scriptures, we are able to see how to perform them well. The translations that encourage practice and being fully committed are related to focus. To take pain with something and be absorbed with it will involve focus.
Knowing what to do is one thing, but being absorbed and fully committed is a different animal. We all know people who are full of information and Biblical knowledge, and yet their lives are not as fruitful as we had thought they would be. We know there is nothing wrong with God's Word, but we also know that those who receive God's Word and act on it are the ones who produce fruit. The idea of meditation is not to reach a place of empty thoughts but rather a place where God's Word is carefully considered and focused upon. The end goal is not the relief of stress and anxiety, although that can certainly be a part of the benefits. The end goal of focus and meditation is to know how to act on what we have heard and seen.
Maybe our biggest challenge today with focus is living in an undeniably distracting world. It would both calm our minds and strengthen our spirits to take the time to get quiet and focus on God and His Word.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to learn how to focus on Your Word that I might be able to practice and be absorbed with it. Focus promotes progress.