Daily Devotionals
February 23, 2021
The Art of Pondering
February 23, 2021
By Ellen Garrett, Director of BUMC Kids
DAILY READING
When I was young, one of my favorite memories was going camping with my family. Not having any electronics during those days, my parents would do a great job entertaining us with card games for rainy days and “made-up” games when running around the campsite. While on one of these camping trips, my mom came up with a game called “Pondering”. We had to find an item in nature and ponder on the size, shape, color, texture, etc., and come up with two questions about this item. (You can tell my mother was an educator!) Then, we would sit around the campfire and share our “ponderings” with one another. It’s amazing what comes to light about something when you really stop to ponder it.
The word “ponder” is not often used anymore in this fast-paced culture. So, a verse like this is often passed over:
I will ponder all your work and meditate on your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:12, ESV
Ponder means “to think about, give thought to, consider, mull over, contemplate, meditate on”. Another definition says, “to weigh in the mind” or “to consider something deeply and thoroughly”. Pondering is not about being right. It’s about considering and questioning. Pondering can be seen as a journey to wisdom and truth and can be closely linked to prayer.
Verses 11 and 12 of Psalm 77 give us a three-step process of encouragement during this time of Lent and can bring healing for our mind and soul:
1. Remember – God’s great works/blessings (vs. 11)
2. Ponder – meditate on these things (vs. 12)
3. Talk – to others and share what God is doing.
Lent provides a wonderful opportunity to bring back the “art” of pondering as we focus on what God has done for us through his Son, Jesus. Let us encourage one another, children as well as adults, to grow in our ability to ponder on the works of God and to meditate on his mighty deeds so that our hearts might increasingly Praise His Name.