Discipline is not necessarily a fun part of life. Doing things in a particular way at a particular time may not be exciting or may not feel like there is any freedom.
I am one that tends to follow the rules and the process and does things on time and adherence. Where that may seem boring, it is in fact more stable and I find that I am able to move on to other things more quickly as a result. You see, having discipline to do things right saves time as I do not have to go back and do them again. I am able to move to the next item on the list and know that the first item is behind me. That is freedom. I have the chance to simply not be concerned with what has happened and can focus on those things are going to happen. Without discipline, I find that the list of things needing to be done never really gets any shorter as I am constantly working to “fix” what did not get done right the first time.
I have a responsibility to work on getting things right, and with God, it is even more important than in other areas. I have to remember to do that which God gives for me to accomplish and know that I have served Him first and can now move on to the next. This brings joy to my father in heaven, glory to His name, and He delights in me.
“12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” — Proverbs 3:12 (ESV)
I notice in the first part of verse 12 above, that God disciplines those He loves. A lot of that is attributed to the correcting of wrong in society. There seems to be this negativity that comes with discipline as opposed to the way I described in the first part of this morning’s writing. No one likes to be disciplined, even when reading the second part of the verse that indicates the delight God has in me. What is missing is the lack of discipline that leads to discipline.
“11My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,” — Proverbs 3:11 (ESV)
It starts with discipline as noted in the first part of verse 11 above. I have to remember that the discipline to do right comes before anything else. I have to not necessary like doing things the right way or in the right time, I simply have to accept them and know that there is a purpose behind them. Once I have accepted, I will then know that the consequences are mine to bear as I chose to adhere or not. And when not, the consequences will not be as pleasant as I expect.
God delights in me and my obedience. He does not want to punish me for not doing right, but I put myself in those positions by not adhering to the discipline He has provided for me to indeed do right.
What discipline are you avoiding and then being disciplined? Are you running in the attempt to get away with not doing right and being disciplined? What if you embraced the idea that God delights in you and provides discipline to you so that you can avoid disciplinary consequences?
Trevor's Thoughts 