We are so used to being able to snap our fingers and have an Amazon box magically appear at the door, but not everything works like that. And ya know what? I’ll be bold enough to say that we shouldn’t even want everything to work like that! If nothing gave us cause to slow down, be present, meditate and practice waiting or pondering, our internal motors might just run us ragged. 

I’ve been reading through Daniel recently, and God pricked my heart when I read about how Daniel was instructed to consider God’s words to him. If he considered them, God would bless him with understanding. Here’s the verse with just a bit of context: 

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill—while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision: -Daniel 9:20-23, emphasis added

And then? Gabriel proceeded to explain Daniel’s vision to him. Daniel was confused about a vision from God. He had not been gifted with immediate understanding. This was not one of those instant gratification moments! But rather than shutting down in frustration or just moving on to the next thing that required less effort, Daniel prayed for insight and understanding. When he began praying, his answer was sent through Gabriel. Gabriel instructed him to consider the word and understand the vision. 

What a lesson for us to learn! Just imagine…. God might have a treasure chest full of wisdom and understanding waiting for you—if you’d only take time to slow down and consider His Word! The pace of our world does not make this easy. I know! But Kingdom citizens must often live counterculture to the world, and this is one simple way you can do just that. Here are 10 easy ideas for slowing down enough to truly consider God’s Word:

1. Pick out a Bible verse that has always confused you. Write it on an index card, and read it every night before bed. Close your eyes for a minute or two and just think about the verse. Ask God to help you understand it.
2. Use 5-10 minutes of your lunch break to read one psalm. If it’s a short one, just read it over and over again! Take time to think about the words. What do they teach you about God? What can they teach you about people/yourself?
3. Schedule one hour a week for just you and your Bible. Set aside any other Bible study lesson you have going for your small group or Sunday School class, and just be in the Word—anywhere you want! Pray for the Holy Spirit to show you things you haven’t seen before, and ask Him to teach you things you didn’t know. 
4. Take a prayer walk. We’re so often rushing from one place to another… Set aside a little time to just walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park and talk to God. Listen for His voice. Choose a Bible verse to repeat in your mind as you walk.
5. Be persistent when you study the Bible. Did you run into a difficult chapter? Don’t just move past it and assume it wasn’t for you. Look up the cross references! Check out a commentary. Ask a pastor or fellow believer for insight on that chapter. Give God a chance to help you understand it.
6. Reread a Christian book. Was there a specific book that really spoke to you? Or maybe a book you read that you didn’t really seem to get much out of? Take the time!! Read it again. Think about it again. Listen to God again.
7. Go back over your notes from your pastor’s sermon on Sunday. Don’t just let his or her words go in one ear and out the other. Don’t walk into Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday having completely forgotten what was said. Read back over your notes and the passage that was preached on. You could do it once a day or maybe even just once midweek. However it works best, find a time to go back and consider that sermon again. (Don’t take notes during your pastor’s sermon? Start!)
8. Perhaps you’ve never actually been in a formal Bible study group? Join one! What a fantastic way to be guided through longer and deeper meditation on Scripture. If you don’t know where to start with this, check out Bible Study Fellowship. I have studied the Bible through this organization for a couple decades now, and it offers in-person and online groups across the globe. You can find a time/place that works.
9. Find some music with lyrics that are literally the words of Scripture! I’m sure there are many songs and albums out there that fit this bill, but Ellie Holcomb has an entire album called “All of My Days” that is straight Scripture. Each song is a psalm! Listen to those songs over and over, and consider God’s precious words to you. (A group called Stillcreek also sings lyrics straight from Scripture. They’re a newer discovery for me!)
10. Is there a word God spoke to your heart? A vision? A phrase? A calling for the future? Is it confusing or hard? Please do not just dismiss it. Do yourself a favor, and take the time to really listen to what God is trying to say to you. If all else fails, just sit quietly in His presence and ask Him to give you insight and understanding. It will not always come immediately. God seeks closeness with you! Draw near to Him, and trust that He will tell you what you need to know.

When you stop long enough to consider God’s Word, He will meet you and bless you with understanding. The best news of all? He never runs out of insight, wisdom and understanding to share. The more you slow down with your Bible, the more you will mature in the Lord. In the words of Gabriel, “Consider the message and understand the vision.” What vision does God have waiting for you? What does He want you to see and understand about Him? What if He’s just waiting—right now!—to teach you something transformational? Forget the instant gratification. Instead, embrace life at God’s speed. Consider His words, don’t just rush through them and hope they somehow help. Welcome the pace of the Almighty.