Discipline In All Ages
I have to admit that in our early days of married life, when my husband, Steve, and I were both working full time with two young children, I rarely made our bed and was not the best housekeeper. On weekends, yard-work, home maintenance and other projects would take priority instead of church. Sometimes we decided to take the kids for picnics, road trips or to the beach.
On the way there, while listening to the radio, our little son Steven would sing along to "life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long".
Don't get me wrong– laughter, fun, adventure and exploration are good, but constantly seeking fun and happiness does not produce happiness. Seeking God does. Back then, we didn't put God first, but that has changed.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
-Jeremiah 29:13
Growing up, we both received discipline from our parents and learned right from wrong–to take responsibility for our own actions and learn a strong work ethic. We instilled these into our children, too. What was lacking in our earlier years was the number one thing for a good and peaceful life; putting God first and relying on Him instead of self. Also lacking was the discipline to not give in to your flesh and to always finish what you start.
In his 2014 keynote address to graduating college students at the University of Texas, the very first piece of advice Admiral William McRaven gave was: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed…if you can’t do the little things right, you will never be able to do the big things right.”
A life without discipline becomes chaotic, self-centered, superficial, anxious, confusing, worrisome and unfulfilling. Discipline is important to God, and God disciplines those He loves.
“Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
– Hebrews 12:9-11
We've come a long way, and have a ways to go, but being a Christian is a journey; the destination is Heaven and God teaches us along the way if we just humble ourselves, listen to Him and are obedient to Him. He sent Jesus not only as the Lamb for our sins, but also to be the perfect example of how to love and live this life. The Bible is our life
manual. We learn to love from Christ and we also learn to practice discipline, but it means nothing if we don't put it all into practice every day.
“But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. – James 1:22
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
–Galatians 5:22-23