i am an offering

In a recent conversation I had with my pastor, who is also my spiritual mentor, he mentioned that he had been seeing some very positive fruit in me over the summer.  I asked him, “Anything specific?”  to which he replied with one word - “Discipline.”

My Discipline Journey

I have never been a very disciplined person.  I achieved my first degree black belt in Taekwondo in MIddle School, but then lost the discipline to keep going with it.  I was smart enough to have possibly achieved a 4.0 GPA in HIgh School - but wasn’t disciplined enough to actually achieve it.  In college - my lack of spiritual discipline led to some major personal struggles that eventually led to all sorts of problems.  I believe I always fell short of so many things because of a lack of displine in two areas: my physical life, and my spiritual life.

Physical Discipline

Maybe you’re like I was, and every time you went to the doctor you had to sheepishly answer “no” when the doctor asks if you’re exercising.  Maybe you kept hearing everyone talk about physical fitness and thought to yourself, “Yeah, I know I should do that, but I just don’t have time.”  As Paul is speaking to his young charge Timothy he says this:

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-9

I don’t think Paul was brushing off physical training in this passage - just comparing it as far less valuable than training to be godly, which we’ll get to in a minute.  “I don’t have time” doesn’t work when you’re beginning to discipline yourself.  Part of discipline is finding the time it takes to carry out what you’re trying to accomplish.  I finally realized that everyone was right when they mentioned the importance of physical fitness - and after running and walking for just four days I am already feeling astoundingly better physically.

Spiritual Discpline

As Paul says in the passage we read earlier - “godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  Godliness has an eternal reward.  This discipline is even more important than physical fitness because our bodies, no matter how fit we are, will decay and turn to dust.  Our souls, however, will go on for eternity.  My spiritual discipline of a devotional life was an on-again, off-again affair.  But now, after being disciplined to read and study my Bible almost every day - I feel astoundingly better spiritually and emotionally.

My Challenge to You

Are you making time to discipline yourself, both physically and spiritually?  If so, bravo!  If not, I highly encourage you to do so.  And don’t just do so with no goals in mind, or no way to track your progress.  Find a training program for your physical fitness.  I found one that even has a way to track your progress.  Here’s a look at mine:

Keep a journal for your spiritual discipline.  If you’re online constantly like I am (another reason why it’s so Important that I discipline myself physically), try using the wonderful You Version internet app.  It has a built in journal right there with any Bible version you desire to use.

Physical discipline + spiritual discpline will equal a very healthy outlook on life.

For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble. - Hebrews 12:10-12

Lately it seems as though God is really working on my heart in a lot of areas.  He’s working on my heart to convict me to have a strong yearning for prayer and time spent with Him.  He’s working on my heart to have a compassionate spirit towards every one I come in contact with.  And He’s working on my heart through many people I love and trust to make me a better leader.

Yesterday, I was gently challenged in how I could improve some areas of ministry to make things better.  To be honest, I’m not quite used to that yet, although I’m very grateful.  In previous ministry experiences I was used to being free to do what I needed to do and then only being challenged about something after the negative consequences had already happened.  If I would have been gently disciplined in these areas before certain things happened, I think those consequences would have turned out much differently!

So, how do you accept criticism, especially criticism that is constructive and meant for your benefit?  Do you get angry and try to justify what you’re doing, or do you say, “Thanks so much for caring enough about me to prevent negative consequences and to direct me towards many more positive ones!”

Take some time today and thank God for the discipline He’s doing in your life, either through His Word or through other people.