Question #4

In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year? And what will you do about it?
Hmm….let’s review what a ‘spiritual discipline’ is.
The term likely comes from 1 Tim 4:7 where we are told to ‘train ourselves unto godliness’.
Simply, a spiritual discipline is anything that allows you by its structure to be in a place to grow closer to God. An activity that gives God the opportunity to grow you in holiness. By implication it is a behavior that is regulated and repeated for optimal spiritual benefit. (Notice it is a place of readiness, not a place of guarantees.)

Some common examples are Bible study, meditation, prayer, memorization, fasting, giving (time, service, money). (A great book on this topic is Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life. )
But, back to the question.

I asked a young friend of mine about this and she said she’s recently tried to increase her time, attention and regularity of prayer by the simple strategy of purchasing a notebook to list and structure her requests.
That’s a great idea, and a good first step.
As with all of us, following through in the discipline is critical.
(I encourage you, “K”, .in this pursuit of God you’ve taken on! )

At one point in my life, I took on a new ministry area which I wanted to bathe in regular, intercessory prayer. My schedule was already busting at the seams, so I decided to set the alarm a little earlier one morning a week. I then began a pattern which turned into a habit, and this ‘discipline’ continues to allow me to accomplish my desire.

Indeed, I’m deeply committed to the premise behind acquiring and practicing spiritual disciplines. They continue to provide me with ballast and foundation from which sanctification can thrive. The activity of the discipline is impotent in itself, but infused with God’s power and His purposes, they provides fertile ground for spiritual growth.
Admittedly, I have much in which to grow in this area.

So, my answer?
I know I need to develop stronger self-denial muscles. So, this points me in the direction of fasting. I’ve experimented a little with this, but more as a tool to help remind me every time I hunger for food that I long to hunger MORE for God. The double benefit is in the practice it gives me to deny myself (a skill that is critical in fighting off temptation).
My follow through, then, in this spiritual discipline will be to incorporate short term fasting in my life on a reoccurring, regular basis.
I know all the wrong reasons for this:
~To gain favor with God – NO;
~To gain more clout for answered prayer – NO
~To become more righteous – NO.
~To show God “I’m serious” –NO

May I utilize this opportunity instead:
~To express my humility before God
~To reinforce to myself my own need for and dependence on God
~To say with my demonstration that I desire HIM more than my daily bread
~To practice the subjection of my physical appetites to my mind’s choice
~To give opportunity for my heart, soul, mind and body to give attention to God

Consider this statement by Gordon Fee
“Life in the Spirit is not passive submission to the Spirit to do a supernatural work in one’s life; rather, it requires conscious effort, so that the indwelling Spirit may accomplish His ends in one’s life.”
A spiritual discipline is one example of just such a ‘conscious effort’.

What about you?

Inventory your own life and answer Question #4…to God’s glory.