Ask yourself these questions:

1. How aware am I that Jesus has died on my behalf, for my sins? How deeply do I feel it?
2. Am I secure in the knowledge of my salvation?
3. Do I have peace that surpasses understanding?

We can feel God’s presence in worship songs, get inspired by christian blogs (like this one), be encouraged by a good sermon or book, but when all that is stripped away, what remains? Would you be left with a solid peace, a peace that transcends understanding (Philippians 4:7)? Unless we are born again by the living, moving Spirit of God into a living faith, so much is empty and meaningless, just words and noise.

The centre of our faith isn’t activity, it is, well, faith; faith in God, especially focused in the person of Jesus. And he focused our faith on his ultimate act of faithfulness- his death and resurrection.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 26:26-28

This was how he wanted us to remember him: through sharing a meal together that reminds us of how he gave his life for us. Through this great act he created peace between us and God, and between one another (Ephesians 2:14). When we sit down at God’s table we sit down with everyone else he’s invited. Friendship with God means friendship with his other friends (1 John 4:20). Out of finding peace with God we find peace and security with one another.

But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

This world is devoid of peace so tries to conjure up tranquillity. Only the living God is able to bring us deep, true, abiding and authentic peace.

This is a peace that we can’t meditate our way into. We can’t conjure it up or drug it into existence. We cannot earn our own salvation or determine to live a righteous Christian life apart from God’s help. We need to be quiet in God’s presence and receive, and find restoration for our souls. The bread and wine takes our eyes off ourselves, guiding us to the finished work of Jesus on the cross, where our salvation lies.

This is more than one-sided meditation, it is communion, because within it we touch God’s heart, and He touches ours.