A wise friend asked for another post about discipline, this time focusing more on the mental aspects. This post will be directed at the men, mainly because I have absolutely no qualifications to be writing about the workings of the female mind.
It is a devious trap that those who desire to practice mental discipline could find themselves in. Even the message that we receive from the Christian subculture and media outlets often misses the mark. We're told that if we're well behaved men, that if we follow the Christian checklist of Bible, prayer, church...while obeying the massive "thou shalt not" list, then we have been successful. My friends, I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is that actually living a disciplined, God-honoring life is much more complex than that. The good news is that living a disciplined, God-honoring life is also much more rewarding than following any checklist ever could be.
There are 3 attributes I believe are absolutely integral to developing genuine and life-transforming discipline in our lives: a servant's heart, a focused mind and a determined hand.
Servant's Heart: "Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.'" - Mark 9:35. This trait goes hand in hand with humility. Both are very difficult to obtain without the other. One of the many things I credit to God's work at Pine Cove is the development of a servant's heart in my life. Bringing a servant's heart and motivation back to SFA and trying diligently to squash the arrogant, conceited, prideful persona I used to exhibit has been excruciatingly difficult. Putting other people before yourself is not natural. It goes completely against our human nature and the sin that dwells inside it. Elevating other people and placing their wants and needs higher than our own crushes "the flesh". That is why fostering a genuine servant's heart is such a potent weapon in the fight for a disciplined, God-honoring life.
Focused Mind: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Col. 3:17. We will not be effective in the rat race of today's society unless we develop the habit of actively giving God the situations we find ourselves in. I know beyond a doubt that everyone reading this post has experienced ineffective prayer or Bible time before. You've probably felt your prayers bounce off the ceiling or felt like the passage you were reading was about as interesting as a 2am infomercial. There are many reasons for ineffective God time, some out of your control and some not. However, Jesus Himself showed us the best way to spend time with God, " But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" - Luke 5:16. If you give God your full attention when you sit down to pray or crack open the word, I guarantee you'll be setting the stage for a much more fruitful and productive time with your Creator. Whatever you do, do it well.
The same can be said for all the other aspects of living a disciplined life. Be focused. Be intentional. In all that you do, be mindful of the bigger picture here. We're working for the glory of our God. We're working to know Him better through all our activities, responsibilities, etc. If we're not, then I say we are wasting precious time! If you're relaxing, thank God for the rest He's allowed you to have. Thank Him for the sunshine and the lemonade in your hand. The concept of "pray continually" - 1 Thes. 5:17 doesn't mean you're literally on your face 24/7. If you practice a focused mind, you'll be amazed at the results in your "God time" and the rest of your life as well.
Determined hand: An unrelenting, passionate, zealous commitment to your relationship with Jesus Christ is necessary. If you determine in your heart to follow the commands of Jesus and thus prove your love for Him, you must be steadfast in your walk. There must not be any wavering in your steps. My friends, our God has empowered us to diligently follow after Him. Sure, there will be trials, troubles, unforeseen hangups and temptations. These should come as no surprise. "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33. A commitment to living out your faith on a daily basis is key to establishing patterns of righteousness. A wise man once said, "Excellence is the result of habitual integrity." If you give your daily walk over to God, submit it to Him and ask for His strength to live a life that honors Him...you will find an powerful ally ready and waiting. My friends, we still have a responsibility to walk down the right path and make the right decisions. However, leaving the unexpected in the hands of an Almighty God makes life easier and a whole lot less stressful. Set your will to do good, to show love and mercy, to be Jesus to a lost and dying world. Determine to open God's word with an intent heart and mind on a regular basis. Be disciplined. Live your life on a mission!
Be blessed...
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