大象传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Julia Loveless

Good morning.

In our world of immediacy, the word discipline has developed a bit of a negative reputation. Why should we be disciplined? We can watch whatever we want, eat whatever we want and even behave however we want (to a degree) and society has to tolerate us. But I think, perhaps, we have misunderstood the concept of
discipline. There is this assumption that boundaries are a bad thing. They鈥檙e seen as limitations, restrictions.

And yet none of us would look at a parent setting a boundary by using stabilisers for their child who is learning how to ride a bike. That boundary provides the safety and permission the child needs to fail, to learn and to mature into a flourishing cyclist. Most of us know this, deep down; that discipline actually forms us and trains us into better versions of ourselves. But the reality of making those choices is not attractive. Limiting our sugar intake or choosing not to watch the show that everyone else is talking about, sticking to lime sodas while at work drinks 鈥� none of us want to do it.

But when we find the courage to engage with it, we find the disciplined life is one that leads us to the most healthiest version of ourselves. We know it鈥檚 good for us, but we resist it vehemently. As the apostle Paul says; 鈥淚 do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do鈥� I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.鈥� God, help me reset my understanding of discipline today and see it for the gift that it is. Show me what boundaries I could put in place that would lead me to a fuller, freer, more joyful life.

Amen.