A Living Example

Proverbs 10:17
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Ah, the disciplined. How we love them so. They are usually the ones that don't need an alarm clock to get up for their 5 AM walk. They tend to look so put together. Soft spoken, they are the ones we use as an example to our children (dare we actually tell our children we were just like them at one time). They have it together. I have met a few of these people in my life. I tend to put them on a pedestal. I look up to them and I soak in everything they share with me like I am a dried out sponge.

A few years ago I went through a series called Celebration of Disciplines. It was life-changing. Of course I practiced each discipline each week during the study. Where am I now? Well, let's just say I am young and God has some more work to do. How is it that we can hear what is good for us and with a few examples and guidance we can actually practice it, but if we don't stick to it, then it becomes yet another good idea? That's it, practice. How many times have we let ourselves think that because we weren't good at something or it just didn't stick, then it really wasn't for us in the first place?

This passage tells us that we need to heed discipline because it will show the way of life. So all those times we have thought to ourselves that there was no way we would be able to be that disciplined, we were stealing our own blessing. No, I don't think we will all be at the same level of discipline in our Christian faith, but I do believe that we must strive to be disciplined, because it will bring life to those who do not have it. When we get bullheaded and come up with our own idea of what God really wants, we end up leading others astray. So how bad could it be if we all strive for a life of discipline?

I don't usually do this, but I looked up Spiritual Discipline in my search engine and this site was suggested: http://www.spirithome.com/spirdisc.html It is very well written. check it out further if you have time.
Here is a small quote from the site: A spiritual discipline is, when practiced faithfully and regularly, a habit or regular pattern in your life that repeatedly brings you back to God and opens you up to what God is saying to you.

How does this description contrast with what view you may have had of spiritual discipline? Is it true that we can be disciplined in our daily life and routine, but not spiritually?

What can we do today to practice disciplines in our lives.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for being my focal point. Lord, I know I have a lot of work when it comes to being disciplined in all areas of my life. I do pray that we will all begin to practice our discipline faithfully and regularly so that we will continue to be brought back to you and be closer to you through our openness. I pray that we will be more willing to reflect your image and that we will be less likely to ignore what we know we need to work on so that we do not lead others astray. Thank you for guiding us and teaching us. I look forward to our time together.

Please continue to pray for Diana B.