While physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8
Dear Friends in Christ,
The word “discipline” often conjures up images of a child sitting for “time-out,” or conflict in the classroom. The word seems to mean many things to people. Notice that the word “discipleship” shares the same root. To be a disciple is to follow the discipline of your teacher. A discipline is a regular practice or a healthy habit that leads to growth. We need disciplines in our life or else we slide back into bad habits and our lives deteriorate.
What are your spiritual disciplines? What structured practices help you to grow deeper with Christ? Christian disciplines often include regular rhythms of worship, prayer, study, care and service. These practices are like tithes of our time—practices that inform and shape the rest of our time. Like the way pledging and giving trains the stewardship of the rest of our finances, this stewardship of our time teaches and trains the rest of our interactions with others at work and school and home and with strangers. These disciplines bring an awareness of God’s presence and power at work in the most mundane of circumstances.
How do you practice these disciplines? What new practice might you start? Start by including prayer and listening in habits you already have, such as sitting down to eat, or your morning routine or weekly rest. What disciplines do you need to renew? What has fed you in the past? Where are you the most hungry for God’s grace?
As we approach Thanksgiving and Advent, listen for God’s calls to you and consider what discipline will help you grow deeper with Christ in the year ahead. God bless you as you open yourself to his presence!
Yours in Christ,
-Tom