Embarking on any journey involves planning as well as a certain amount of discipline in order to ensure success. Yet, the word “discipline” gets a bad rap. Isn’t it true that upon hearing it, our default thinking goes immediately to the negative and embraces a tone of harshness, severity…sometimes even chastisement? Yet the word simply means instruction or training. It’s the type of training that develops self-control, character, orderliness and efficiency. Who among us would not desire those qualities in our lives and in our journeys? There are also such things as Spiritual Disciplines. These are tried and true practices that will forge character. By intentionally setting them in place, we actively make space for God in our hearts and in our lives. These practices can be as simple as:
Or they can include ones that are more radical, such as:
“The Message” paraphrase of the Bible captures Christ’s invitation in Matthew 11:28-30: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the forced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Give it some thought. If you sense the Lord’s invitation, start small…start gradually. You will be carving out sacred space that will create spiritual rhythms for your journey. These will take you: “…from strength to strength.”
3 Comments
Andrea
2/9/2017 09:22:07 am
I love this! Today I purposely did not look at my phone until I spent time with God and did my morning bible study (which until recently, I had been neglecting), and boy am I glad I did! What a fantastic way to start the day right!
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Rachel
2/9/2017 11:31:58 am
Great words of wisdom and encouragement!
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Sandy Jenkins
2/9/2017 01:18:04 pm
Thank you Carolyn. A reminder to me that my first priority each day needs to be time spent with God.
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Carolyn HerbertI'm a practicing spiritual director, author, speaker, and teacher with a sincere desire to share all that the Lord has taught me. It is my passion to help you create a “sacred space” of deeper intimacy with Jesus.
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