How's your discipline?

I have a confession to make.

When snow-days happen, my discipline goes out the window. Habits that I have established, based upon getting up and going to the office, take a hiatus.

The results are that during at least the first day of snow, I become a great big couch potato. It seems that I remain that way until I start to go stir crazy and need to get out.

I am currently looking out my home office window and the snow is just beginning. I will bet you can imagine what is next.

Discipline is not a bad thing. Discipline, when properly practiced, helps us grow. It seems that we have allowed discipline to become a bad thing.

We talk about being disciplined, as if it was punishment. When we do wrong, it is disciplinary actions that get our attention. I wonder if we shouldn’t change the name to correctional adjustments.

The reason I say that is because we should not fear discipline. In fact, we are called to rejoice in it. Hebrews 12:5-6 “My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly, or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves…Discipline is truly an act of love. God reproves, because He wants better for us. Just like parents who reprove a child’s actions, so they can become better citizens.

Proverbs 13:24 is probably the most misused verse when it comes to discipline, “The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him, disciplines him diligently”.

I know of some folks who think this passage gives permission to beat their children. What we often forget is, a rod is a measurement of distance.

A rod is about 16 ½ feet in length. The verse basically recommends holding your child to a standard. Help them to measure up.

And in a nutshell, isn’t that what discipline is supposed to do? Isn’t it setting a standard to measure up to?

So, I’m going to ask, how is your discipline coming? Are you holding yourself accountable in church, and in your life? Are you living a life that measures up to the two commandments (you know, love God and love your neighbor)? Or, has your spiritual life taken on a snow-day.

As a pastor, I need to be held accountable and to have a discipline that keeps me grounded to my faith and the church. This is where a partner comes in. We all need someone who can keep us on our toes and hold us accountable when the snow-days happen. We need to practice discipline in love and hope.

We are all called to live at a higher standard spiritually than the world. Christ set that standard, and we need to practice the disciplines that reveal that standard to the world. If you need help, church is a good place to start.

Just a thought

Shalom My Friends and I hope to see you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.