Discipline is a hard word

The problem with discipline is, you can't do it once. It is an ongoing thing. To be disciplined is to get up every day and do whatever it is you purpose to do. Whether it is eating right, exercise, doing homework, or whatever else can fill the blank. It is about consistency.

Discipline is more about life style change than anything else. The results from desired changes in our lives take time, and we only get to see the results after we have committed to the process.

My daughter, Kayla and I have been going to the gym three times a week for the past month. I have actually been doing this for 3 years. We have determined to watch our food consumption and follow a program in order to get in shape. In the past month, with some food choice changes and the work out, I have lost about 15 pounds. However, the food choice changes have been hard, because, I have to make choices every meal. When Montana's is one of your favorite hot spots, that is difficult. Choosing salad over chicken wings is a struggle, but, it pays off in the end.

The same can be said for my discipline with spending time with God. Doing it once is not going to cut it. If I only spoke to my wife once a week for 10 minutes, we would not be married. No relationship can last that way. If we are going to say that we follow Jesus, then we need to spend time with Him and in His word, so that we know what he is up to. many of us say we don't have time to read The Book. However, we have time to watch House, CSI, or never ending reruns of Seinfeld. We have time to shop, see movies and friends, etc. So for most of us, time with God is not a time issue, it is a discipline issue.

As I am becoming more disciplined, I am confronted with my spiritual discipline. I guess that is where I need to focus some time now. I need to practice being still, and hanging out with God, learning to listen better. I hate the thought of discipline,.... but I quite enjoy the results. Unfortunately, the one has to come before the other.