Discipline, generally has these negative connotations, but in reality it is a great word with strong meaning, which when used in a proper way can bring great results. From working out to study, in the world of football to our spiritual walk, discipline has a place in them all, none more so great than the latter.
As I sit in the gym café, I think of the work out an hour before, the type of work out I regularly do, the 'work out of feeling.' No that is not some new age initiative, just simply sometimes I don't feel like working out, or I don't feel like doing anything too prolonged, the post-modernistic culture is well and truly grabbing at my ankles (or at least my gym shoes) - if it feels good, do it. And if it doesn't? Don't. This ethic is in stark contrast to the man opposite me on the leg curl, ruck sack beside him, muscles pumped, sweat dripping off his brow, and note pad in hand, writing down the weights, the amount of repetitions and type of lift he has just strained to do. All matching to his daily plan. Meeting his goals. Attaining what he set out to. Discipline.
I'm not so nosy as to look at his diary over his shoulder, but unless he was writing about his day, or love of his life while burning off calories, he was by all intents and purposes writing in his work out diary. And as he continued to pump iron, I made my way downstairs to the spa, for a shower and to unwind with a coffee (not all at once).
So what about us, what can we take from this when seeking to pursue God in amongst the busyness of our everyday lives? We can learn that to achieve goals, we need discipline. We need to work hard to attain what it is before us. As Paul puts it we need to 'strain towards what is ahead' (Phil. 3:13) Paul goes on to say that he 'presses on towards the goal'. He doesn't say he does as he feels, he doesn't give the impression we can pick and choose, but instead tells us in effect to 'do what it takes' to claim the prize, the goal, the purpose that God has set before us.
How do we know our goal? Christ doesn't ask us to lift 45kilos, or to run 10k. We don't even have to keep a diary, if we don't want to. But we do need to keep on, keeping on. We do need to persevere, we do need to push on. Christ did call us to love, to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, to preach good news. More specifically he has set before you a plan and purpose that suits your gifting's and talents. Unfortunately, we usually can't find this overnight (but awesome if you did), instead it takes time, and... discipline.
Just like with fitness and weight-loss, it takes effort, time, will-power, perseverance and discipline to grow the spiritual fruits God promised us. As much as internet sites offer diet pills that take days, and garden centres sell trees already in fruit, and God channels tell us we can simply send in a tenner and a closeness to God is guaranteed, in reality love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control take time, they take effort, they require discipline.
Discipline: train to obey a code of behaviour.
At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. (Hebrews 12:10-11 MSG)
Be disciplined, beware the 'work out of feeling' in your spiritual life and pursue God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
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