The title does not refer to “discipline” in the sense of punishment or rewarding good behavior. I mean trait-wise, do you consider yourself to be a disciplined or undisciplined person? As a ministry partner at my church, they give a core training that’s several weeks long and it’s broken up into different parts. Right now we just started the part about spiritual disciplines. I will confess to you that I am not disciplined, at least not in regards to many things. Even writing. They say that to be a writer, you should write at least 20 minutes every day. Well, growing up I tried to start a diary so many times, but I could never get past the initial 2 or 3 entries before I stopped. A couple of years ago, I started journaling and I’ve actually kept it up, but only during those times where I feel like I have something I want to write. When I have thoughts I want to sort out, feelings to express, something I learned or experienced, or I’m just so excited about something I want to share and remember it. If I write when I feel like it, or sometimes even if I don’t but I want to sort things out, then it helps and it works. I can’t just force it. Well I could, but then I wouldn’t enjoy it.
Jordan Taylor of the Blimey Cow YouTube channel was talking about this in one of his videos one day. He was saying how before he had tried to plan out videos, but it was so stressful and became more of a chore so it’s just not how he operates. He tends to get interested in things before he moves on and he never knows what’s coming next. Yet, he and his brother Josh are doing what works for them. They are disciplined in the sense that they put out at least one video every week, but undisciplined in the sense that they never know what their next topic, video, or interest will be. Everyone in the body of Christ has their own functions and God knows why he made us all. We’re each doing our part as we can. The function of the hand or the foot is not the same, but both are important. Today we were talking about how it’s not that we HAVE to do things like read the Bible or pray, but that we GET to do them. This is true. I grew up praying and talking to God, so I never thought of it as a chore. Reading the Bible on the other hand was something I only did on Sundays at church. I wasn’t interested in reading it outside that. Yet, God is always drawing us toward Him in subtle ways and we may not even realize it at the time. Even the smallest things can leave an impression on you. I still remember when I was a freshman in college and I bumped into someone from school after church. He asked if I had enjoyed the mass (I was Catholic at the time) and I was surprised by his question. I don’t even remember exactly what I answered, but I felt like he was there being all joyful and I was like am I missing something here? I thought it was nice, but ENJOY it? Didn’t we just go to learn and get some instruction in how we should live? Though some go on just Christmas and Easter, as a Catholic you also have to attend every Sunday or it’s a sin. So to me, it was a bit of a “have to” thing rather than a “get to” thing. Though that was a small thing, I never forgot it. I even referred to that in one of my poems, “Time Wasted.” Now, things are different. Now, I enjoy it. Now I know I GET to go, get to worship, get to read... Am I disciplined and where I want to be in my spiritual walk? No. But the Holy Spirit’s the one that has brought me this far and I’m grateful. If you’re not disciplined and where you would like to be either, don’t give up or think it’s impossible. Open up the Bible and ask God for the Holy Spirit to help you understand, remember, and apply what you read. Comments are closed.
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DisclaimerWhile I love open discussions, not all internet users are kind. I'd like to build people up, not have others cut people down. Therefore, no comments, but feel free to email me if there's something you'd like to share with me. Archives
July 2020
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