Last Updated on February 24, 2022
When most of us hear the word discipline, I think we think about being scolded for something we’ve done that we shouldn’t have, or being blocked from doing something we really want to do, no matter whether it’s good for us.
No one wants to be told a laundry list of things that are off-limits. Not even a Christian. But everyone knows there are things that aren’t good for us, things we don’t really need, things we can — and should — live without.
Being a bodybuilder takes discipline. You must eat a certain calorie load, follow a certain diet, commit to a strenuous workout regimen. That’s the only way to get results.
Being a musician takes discipline. You have to learn chords, you have to constantly learn new songs, and you have to practice. Otherwise, you’re not going to play well.
Being a Christian takes at least the same level of discipline, yet so many of us don’t seem to follow any kind of discipline when it comes to being a Christ follower. We’re supposed to follow God’s laws, pray, read the Bible, really seek out those God moments. And for the most part, many of us don’t make that kind of time because we let life get in the way and control us.
In 100 Days of Integrity for Men, there’s this short passage:
“A disciplined lifestyle gives you more control: The more disciplined you become, the more you can take control over your life…”
Rather than limiting yourself, which is the way discipline so often looks, it actually empowers us. If we’re disciplined, we’re in charge: we’re making the decisions about what we are or aren’t doing.
If we’re disciplined with our money — I’m not, but I’m working on it — then we control what we spend our money on, no matter how much we really want something. If we’re disciplined with our diet — I’m not, but I’m working on it — then we control what and how much we eat, no matter how much our stomach is telling us it’s hungry.
That little passage really has given me a new perspective on discipline from a Christian standpoint. I’m adding that to my list of disciplines that really need work.
"Discipline" and learning the "rules" for me has taken on the notion of a master pianist knowing everything there is to know about playing the piano. Only in his mastery can he make changes, add his emotion & storytelling, and even break the rules in the right way at the right time to bring a real art to the performance.