Should I be “in the moment” or constantly thinking?
Question:
How should a Christian think? I myself am a deep thinker and catch myself in my head thinking about eternity and thinking about heaven, and sometimes I am not present when talking to people -- I am a million miles away. I have heard all these eastern things about being "present." I'm not going to follow their advice because I believe it is not of God. But how should a Christian think? Should I be "in the moment" or constantly thinking?
Answer:
"There is an appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every event under heaven --
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
This is not so much a right or wrong question but a realization that timing is important. When you are talking with people, then you need to be listening. "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak ..." (James 1:19). It is rude to be pretending to converse with someone but not actually listen to what the other person is saying. How can you know what to say next if you have not heard? "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Colossians 4:6).
This is not to say that you can't spend time thinking deeply. You just have to select times when it is appropriate.
"Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still" (Psalms 4:4).
"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple" (Psalms 27:4).
"When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches" (Psalms 63:6).
"O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Psalms 119:97).
"My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word" (Psalms 119:148).
Pick idle times, boring times, and times when there isn't anything particular you need to focus on at the moment for your meditations.
