A Disciple's Job
I am so blessed to have a living example of what disciplined disciples
look like. My parents! My father, for one, is the most disciplined man I know. As
a child, I questioned a lot of the habits my father had. And in the world’s eyes,
many of his habits must seem silly and unproductive. But I am beginning to
understand why he did what he did. To name one, he chose (and still does) to begin every day
on his knees, before responding to the chaotic schedule that pressured him on
all sides, because he knew his incredible need to meet with his Maker in quiet.
Instead of partaking in the frenzied hectic timetable that this world is spinning
to, we should be practicing slowing down and sitting still with our eyes
focused on Jesus.
We by nature are habitual beings, therefore we cannot stop ourselves
from forming habits. However, we do get to choose the habits we form. And either
they will lead us down the road to enslavement or freedom. Good habits are
formed by getting rid of the excuses that our lives are often riddled with. I
have an excuse for everything. And honestly, I need to begin to live by the Nike
motto: Just do it! If I want to begin spending quality time with Jesus, I just need
to wake up to that alarm clock every morning. If I want to begin praying more,
I just need to shut my eyes and focus on Jesus. The things we begin to practice, will soon become sweet, life-giving habits. Just beginning to show up and "do it" is our part, and He will meet
us on the battlefield ("with grace upon grace" (John 1:16)).
What is this battlefield? The one where we face our sin, daily, head on.
I don’t know about you, but I often get discouraged when I feel as
if I am taking one step forward in the battle against sin, only to take a lot
of steps backwards. It feels like a constant struggle sometimes. And the other
day, the Holy Spirit enlightened my eyes to see this struggle in a whole new
light. Instead of allowing this to hinder and discourage me, I need to press on
through the hardship. If there was no sweat and no tears, then I would have to
question if I am really in the battle at all. This battle is against not flesh
and blood, but against something much greater (Eph. 6:12). The battle against sin: daily
putting to death your flesh and choosing to be alive to the Spirit.
It is so easy for me to quietly slip off the battlefield and I do
this every day with little excuses here and there. However, if I would choose
to stand firm amid the fiery arrows of the enemy, I must rid myself of all
excuses. It is a constant war, the battle against sin. If you are not finding yourself showered with the
enemy's fiery arrows, then take a double-take. Are you even on the battlefield at
all? We are not meant to coward from this fight. It is good that we stand firm amidst the shooting arrows. Remember: You are on the winning side, so take courage, and wait for the Lord! Instead of
growing weary of the suffering you face daily, look at it in this light: “Whoever
suffers in the flesh has ceased from sin" (1 Peter 4:1). These sufferings, if suffered well,
are small victories, leading you down the path of Life!
You might say, “Well a life lived in such sober and strict rigidness
cannot be fulfilling in any way whatsoever!” But I would go back to the example
of my parent’s once again. Their life has been the farthest from boring and unfulfilling (I have
numerous tales from my childhood to speak of and they would too, if asked). Discipline
is for what we were set free from sin to partake in. Discipline is not boring,
it is beyond exciting! And it is something that you almost can’t believe until
you have tasted it for yourself. It is satisfying to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn His Way,
instead of the world’s luring way. It produces a craving in you that draws you in further than you ever thought you would want to go.
***
What are some habits you can begin to form which will lead you down
the path of Life?
Would love to hear some of the habits of discipline you want to implement
in your day-to-day!
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