I was recently with a gentleman who is in his mid-80’s in age. Although he is experiencing some signs of dementia, our conversation was pleasant and profitable. As I was leaving, he leaned over and patted me on the abdomen with this comment, “I see you’re getting your belly back!”
Although this comment could have been offensive, there are two facts that kept me from a negative reaction. First, I took into consideration his physical and mental state and realized he may not be responsible for all that he says. The second reason is more practical, he is right! The weight I took off a couple of years ago is slowly finding its way back. As I evaluated his comment, I realized there are additional indicators that I am carrying ten pounds I don’t need. It’s been a bit more difficult to bend over as I work in our garden lately. I get more winded doing the required yard work and maintenance around the house. I’ve also noticed my blood pressure is running a bit higher than normal.
Here’s the deal. I don’t have to keep this extra weight on. I know exactly what to do to get it to go away. The process that is necessary is not difficult. In fact, there are just two steps I need to follow. The first is to eat according to the eating plan I followed to lose the excess weight in the first place. Its not a diet in the sense that I must eat a lot less, it is simply eating in a healthier way. The second step is even less difficult; light exercise. Just walking through our neighborhood a few times a week makes a huge difference. So, this begs the question, “Why don’t I just do these things?” This can be answered in one word, DISCIPLINE!
It is not only in our physical lives that this word has importance. A lack of discipline in our journey with Christ has even more profound consequences. We are encouraged in this truth in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. A lack of discipline in our spiritual lives is not just a matter of a few extra pounds. It has the potential of eternal ramifications.
As men who are pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus, we need to remember that we cannot reach the goal of becoming mature without being disciplined “in all things”. Therefore Paul exhorted Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:8, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
There are many areas of discipline that will move us toward our goal of Christlikeness. You may not have thought of this, but an important element of spiritual discipline is to take care of our physical bodies. Along with eating right and exercise, adequate sleep is also essential. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah had just faced off with the prophets of Baal. God had shown himself in a miraculous way through Elijah and the false prophets were destroyed. However, in verse 4, we see, He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” God’s solution for this level of discouragement was for Elijah to take a nap and to eat. (vs. 5-8)
There are also spiritual disciplines that need our attention. I need discipline to deal with the everyday occurrences in life. However, to compete in a race, I would need a regimen of regular exercises to prepare me for what is ahead. We need to prepare for spiritual endurance as well. We will discuss what this looks like in the next few editions of Man To Man.