This past Wednesday marked the start of the Lenten Season. Throughout my childhood lent was not a practice I observed, growing up Southern Baptist, but I have come to find great value in the practice in my adult life. If there is one thing that most people, Americans in particular, lack it is discipline. In fact discipline is a word we hate & shrink back from. We fear disciplining our children because we don’t want to damage their ego’s. We hold up rights & individuality as reasons to resist discipline in our own lives. Even within the community of believers we shy away from discipline out of a fear that we will become too religious.
I believe that discipline is meant to be the fertilizer of growth in our personal walks.
Proverbs 15:31-33 says: He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 says: Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Hebrews 12:6-8 says: FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Hebrews 12:10-12 reminds us: 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…
I have found this season in my life to be one of refocusing & re-centering. The choice to abstain from something that is “typical” in my daily life &/or taking on a new discipline draws my heart back to my Father. i know that adding or taking away from my life necessitates that I lean on my Father for the strength. I am weak, my flesh fails me…but He never fails.
May this season of Lent be one of refreshment for you. May He be the sustaining water to your soul in this journey. I pray that we both learn & grow in ways we have never before because we are accepting & asking for the Father’s discipline. Be blessed!
