58 Sermon Illustrations on Meditation

It is tempting to assume that humans must choose between an active or a contemplative life. When we sing the words of lofty hymns, I picture those who wrote them as the types who closeted themselves in their libraries, wearing stiff collars and thinking great thoughts. But this is often not the case. Reginald Heber’s life is a good example of a one who resisted this dichotomy and lived his faith in thought, word, and deed.

Reginald Heber was born in 1783 to a privileged family in England. He was educated at Oxford, where he won prizes for Latin and English poetry. He then became a vicar in Shropshire, where he enriched his parish ministry by composing hymns to be sung by his congregation.

After sixteen years of ministry in Shropshire, Heber set off to be a missionary in India. He apparently went with reluctance, having twice refused an appointment as Bishop of Calcutta before accepting it. Nevertheless, he threw himself into ministry in India with great fervor. Heber was particularly troubled by the fact that some Christian churches still recognized and abided by the caste system, showing honor to those of higher castes. He vehemently preached against the caste system. He traveled around baptizing new converts and ordaining local ministers.

The tropical climate took a toll on Reginald Heber’s health, and after three years in India, he died while on a visit to Trichinopoly. Accounts of his death differ; one says that he died of sun stroke after preaching to a large crowd. Another says that he died of a cerebral hemorrhage while in his bath. His death was greatly mourned, and he was buried there in Trichinopoly.

After Heber’s death, several of the hymns he had composed while in England grew popular. The best known was one he composed for Trinity Sunday:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

I find it heartening that the same man who came to appreciate the doctrine of the Trinity as he pored over theological texts at Oxford lived and died to bring the gospel to polytheists. He who wrote the words, “Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,” fought the darkness of the caste system so that it would not obscure the glory of the God of grace.

In Philippians, the apostle Paul exhorts believers to lead lives that are both active and contemplative: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (4:8-9). Our experience of God through worship, prayer, and study should spur us on to experience Him by living out our faith in the world. Academics should not stay in ivory towers, and those who minister in very practical ways should take time away to reflect on the mysteries of God.

I say this not to add one more item on your list of things to do; if contemplation becomes one more task for the active life, or if practical service is done out of guilt, it will not profit us. Rather, we need to see the two as complements designed by God, for our good, to give us the full experience of his grace.

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Copyright © 2006 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

Have you ever wondered why a pigeon walks so funny? According to an interesting article in the Detroit Free Press, a pigeon walks the way it does so it can see where it's going. Because it can't adjust its focus as it moves, the pigeon actually has to bring its head to a complete stop between steps in order to refocus. This is the way it walks: head forward, stop; head back, stop. Don't laugh -- that's how it goes!

In our spiritual walk with the Lord we have the same problem as the pigeon. We have a hard time seeing while we're moving. We also need to stop between steps -- to refocus on where we are in relation to the World[*] and the will of God. That's not to say we have to stop and pray and meditate about every little decision in life. But certainly our walk with the Lord needs to have built into it a pattern of “stops,” which enable us to see more clearly before moving on.

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[*] Some versions have "Word".

I wasted an hour one morning beside a mountain stream,

I seized a cloud from the sky above and fashioned myself a dream,

In the hush of the early twilight, far from the haunts of men,

I wasted a summer evening, and fashioned my dream again.

Wasted? Perhaps. Folk say so who never have walked with God,

When lanes are purple with lilacs and yellow with goldenrod.

But I have found strength for my labors in that one short evening hour.

I have found joy and contentment; I have found peace and power.

My dreaming has left me a treasure, a hope that is strong and true.

From wasted hours I have built my life and found my faith anew.

See: Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35

It was billed as a “Spiritual Warriors” training program. The ads promised both spiritual and financial health. Fifty people paid $9,000 each to be motivated and challenged in the Arizona desert for 5 days. It was the fifth day when things went horribly wrong. The final ceremony was held in a sweat lodge.

After two hours of meditation and exhortation, some began to vomit and pass out on the floor. Those who wanted to leave were told they were stronger than their bodies and weakness could be overcome. In the end, three had heart attacks, two died, and 18 were hospitalized.

The leader of the retreat quickly put together a bereavement session by telephone that one person recorded. Some of the participants had unusual attitudes. One named Brent said, “I think that the people that left [died], I do believe they made their own choices, whether on this level or the next, but I do feel really for the families.” A family member said the comments solidified his belief that the leader is controlling the people involved.

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Adapted from an article at and other internet sources.