December Discipline.

“Now, child,” said Aslan,… “I will wait here.  Go and wake the others and tell them to follow.  If they will not, then you at least must follow me alone.”  It is a terrible thing to have to wake four people, all older than yourself and all very tired, for the purpose of telling them something they probably won’t believe and making them do something they certainly won’t like. “I musn’t think about it.  I must just do it,” thought Lucy. ~Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Steadfast has been my word of focus for this school year.  As I look at its definition, I notice something.  To be fixed in direction,to be  firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, to be unwavering, to be firmly fixed in place- these all are impossible without discipline.

I’ve found that the word “discipline” seems to have a negative connotation.  It did for the longest time to me.  Whenever one of my parents said the word discipline, it always meant my privileges were about to be revoked, my cellphone was going to be placed in the office drawer, my chores were about to increase, my allowance was going to be withheld.  It meant saying “no” to the things I wanted, and “yes” to the things I hate. 

I started reading the book Discipline by my favorite author Elisabeth Elliot.  What she explained was that “Discipline is the wholehearted yes to the call of God.”  God calls us to be his disciples, and in that way, be disciplined. 

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…” Titus 2:11-12

I’m not a very unruly or undisciplined teenager.  I do my school work, read my Bible daily, and keep up with my chores.  However, as I’ve come to realize that I base a lot on feelings.  I do my homework, yes, but only when I feel like it.  For example, right now I don’t feel like studying for my Spanish test tomorrow, so I am blogging.  If I feel hungry, I grab a snack from the kitchen.  If I feel like running a mile or two, I do, and if I don’t, I don’t.  If I feel like going on facebook ten times a day, I will.  Most people would not say there is anything wrong with this.  And technically, I am not sinning in any of this.  However, I’ve come to realize that I don’t want the urge to go a website to control my life.  I don’t want my feelings of being too tired in the morning to overpower my ability to get up early and pray.  My faith in God should not depend on feelings alone.  Neither should my walk in that faith.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

I must not think about it, I must just do it. Like Nike. ;) 

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58