Discipline Equals True Discipleship by Katie Kilgore

For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but in the end it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

Discipline…not really a fun word or topic for discussion.  However, the significance of discipline in our faith journey is vital to the understanding of where we are going, or need to be headed…towards discipleship.  In Hebrews, we are told that discipline is painful.

I began my journey towards running a 5K race about a year ago now.  I knew as the date for the race neared that I must have a plan, a training plan, if I would somehow run the entire 3-mile race.  So, for 12 weeks leading up to the race, I trained.  The run times started off slow…as was my breathing.  Each week the run times would increase by only a small margin, however, I could feel it…the painful part of the training.  As the day of the race quickly neared, I still had not completed a full 5K run during my training.  However, I was assured by several “real runners” around me that it would happen the day of the race, as long as I was disciplined.  I held on to that hope and on that day, May 31, 2012, I did it, I ran a 5K race without stopping!  The right-ness with the Lord never felt so near as it did that night.  He did it!  He used my weak and tired body to cross the finish line.

As I think about my faith journey in comparison to that race, I ask myself where is the discipline?  I want so desperately to hear from the Lord.  To KNOW His plans for me, even if just for this day.  But, rather than blaming Him for not speaking, how about my part in this?  Do I seek Him through His word?  Most definitely not.  So now, the discipline of studying His scriptures must ensue, it will be painful for the moment, but in the end, He promises to bring His peaceful fruit of righteousness…so what am I waiting for…maybe the sound of the gun-start, I think I just heard it!

Lord, I hunger for your righteousness in my life.  I want to be trained by your written word of truth.  Please give me the discipline to choose daily to study Your word and You have promised to be faithful and speak through it.

Amen

The Dark Night by Patrick Fuller

For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives. (NASB) Hebrews 12:6 

For those who have a relationship with Christ there are various stages of growth and experiences to have with Him throughout our journey here on earth.  We often like to speak of the joyous times, the devoted times, and the blessed times. On the other hand though it is necessary to remember that in any relationship there are ups and downs because we are human. We have a sinful nature that prevents us from keeping that stage of perfection indefinitely here on earth.  We go through trials, we go through seasons of doubting, we go through what most would call spiritual valleys in our faith walk, and most of all we go through tests amongst these things.  Discipline from the Lord is advanced through testing, is advanced through growth in our knowledge of who God is.  Sometimes you may find yourself in what St. John of the Cross called “the dark night of the soul” which is when the Lord removes your spiritual pleasures and devotional rewards in order to test your endurance, your perseverance and your commitment to Him.  I would encourage you to embrace these times of emptiness, weakness and discipline for they are from the merciful Lord who loves you and will not let you suffer for long. 

Merciful God, please let us stay joyful even in the darkest nights of our spiritual life, Amen.