Articles
Disciplined Disciples
Back when I was an ignorant, prideful teenager, I believed I held the power to change anything and everything. I believed my strength was the only strength that mattered and with it I could do all. When I didn’t believe in, God I used to say, “I am going to do as good as I can in this world, but if not believing is what sends me to hell--even after all the good I do--then so be it! Bring it on!” Yet, the very first time I faced imminent death, what did I do? I prayed.
Ambition and drive are good qualities to have. But when we forget our God above us and forget those around us because of them, that is one path that will lead us to suffer. But as it is written, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed" (Hebrews 12:11-13). God has blessed me with the discipline of literally becoming lame and being healed because of it. When I became weakened from the disorder and especially after I became disabled, I began to remember I am not alone. I rely on God’s Spirit and the love of others to now make the level paths in my feet and to no longer be disabled but abled. With the power of God’s love and the love of others there is no amount of good that I cannot do.
This is the power of God as it talks about in Jesus’ parable in Luke 13:6-9. If we turn to God to have Him remove our past sins/self and replace it with God’s sustaining love and power, then our souls and lives will bear fruit beyond our imagination for all eternity. Our sins, worries and fears can all be taken away by Him. And He provides us with the encouragement and guidance of elders, deacons and loved ones to aid us down a path of Godly self-discipline. He has given us many resources at our disposal, and it is with Him and His church (not ourselves alone) that we can find true strength and love.
