Discipline
My sons are all doing Bible reading plans with our youth group this year. They’re involved in a few different ones but one of the main reading plans is to read through the entire New Testament this year, in daily chunks. This week, I received a text from Liam with a screenshot of a verse that stuck out to him from that day.
“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” - Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)
What a powerful truth! Nobody likes a burpee, mid-burpee! Nobody ever said, “I can’t wait until my morning alarm goes off at zero-dark-thirty!” Nobody loves the feeling of humbling themselves to ask forgiveness or relinquishing control to offer forgiveness. But these acts; these disciplines, yield a peaceful harvest of right living.
That verse reminded me of a flag that hangs in our home gym that says “discipline equals freedom.” The quote comes from former Navy SEAL, Jocko Willink. Jocko’s onto something…the decisions and commitments in your physical life, your spiritual development, moral purity, etc. that no one else sees are what make you truly disciplined, truly strong, and truly free! These decisions help make your life more fulfilling, and give you more control over the you you present to the world!
Jesus Himself was disciplined. Hedidn’t place expectations on His disciples that He was unwilling to live out Himself. He guarded His quiet time. He was thoughtful about what He said and who He spent His time with. And eventually He carried His heavy cross high up on a hill and died on it. He lived with a mission in mind. He exuded a life of discipline in order to bring freedom for all mankind!
Lions, make the pre-decision to do the hard-but-good thing anyway. Get free from reactive living and take back some control. You won’t regret it. Disciplined habits will form you and prepare you for what’s ahead.
Discipline not only equals freedom, it makes you more like Jesus!