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Disciplines

March

In a society that seeks instant satisfaction and gratification, discipline is almost a dirty
word. Yet, all of the devotional masters throughout the ages have pointed to discipline,
as setting you free. How can this be? Discipline is thought of as being rigid, a strictness,
long stretches of boring or irritating work, or self-denial. On the contrary, truly self-
disciplined people are not bored or deprived. In fact they have learned the true joy that
comes from pursuing and achieving a spiritual life that moves us beyond a surface life
into the depths with Jesus.
Discipline liberates us from slavery. The life that is pleasing to God is not one that is
legalistic (practicing religious duties). God wants us to do only one thing, namely walk
with Him in the garden (as he wanted to do with Adam). Yet, instead of walking with
God, we continue to rely on our own willpower and determination. We have issues of
anger, fear, bitterness, gluttony, pride, lust, and we take drugs (prescription and illegal).
But our struggles are all in vain without God. Heini Arnold said that as long as we
think we can save ourselves, we will only make the evil in us stronger than ever. We
must realize that inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received. It is
God’s work to change us … it is a grace that is given. But with these words, we may be
tempted to believe that there is nothing we have to do. Although human striving is
insufficient, there is something we must do … and that is to place ourselves before God,
so that he can transform us.
God’s gracious work can take over our inner spirit to transform our ingrained habit
patterns that we have developed in our ‘humanistic lives’. Once we walk with God, we
are on the disciplined path, and we will discover internal changes though ‘believing
prayer’, Bible study, ‘holy meditation’ and caring service. We will then discover that a
spirit of compassion, we found hard to exhibit previously, is now ingrained. Divine Love
slips into our souls making it possible for us to forgive a wrong … done to us many years
ago. Our bitterness and resentment leaves our spirit and a spirit of joy completely fills us
up. In rushes God’s “love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23). We no longer have to work at being good and kind;
we are good and kind. Goodness and kindness have become part of our nature. Just as
we were once embroiled in frustration, confusion, mire and dirt, we now produce
“righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Leo Tolstoy said,
“Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.” We
can put our passion for changing others to rest. The voice of Jesus Christ is not hard to
hear. He promised to be our teacher and guide. His direction is not hard to understand.
We can trust his teachings. If we put ourselves at his mercy … if we are willing to listen
to his heavenly Word, his instruction will be there for us to hear and act on.

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