Hello ICC Family!
One definition of discipline says that it is, “The ability to make yourself do something, even if it is difficult, so that you can achieve a goal.” I think that definition is helpful - whether you are talking about self-discipline or the discipline given by an authority figure. Applying that to our walks with Christ, discipline then is the training, testing, and correcting that enables us to grow as disciples. Part of discipline is the correction part, as we have seen the past couple of weeks with Jonah, but it is also much broader than that!
I was thinking about discipline this morning and reminded of a song. It’s a song from several years ago that would drive me crazy every time it came on the radio or my wife played it. And I’m not sure why it drove me crazy because it is biblical and helpful. It’s just very sappy and soft and as the only guy in my family, I always felt the need to make sure that the girls all knew that men preferred a louder, different style of music. (I have no idea whether this is necessarily true, but for some reason it seemed like one of my duties as a father to once in a while advocate for traditionally male stereotypes.)
Anyway, the music is still not my favorite style, mainly because it seems overly dramatic. But I think we can see another aspect of God’s discipline in it. The song is called Blessings, by Laura Story. Here are the lyrics…
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
(Chorus) 'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart, That this is not, this is not our home
What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
The Lord’s discipline comes in many different forms. But all of them have the purpose of helping us grow as disciples. Discipline brings growth. These lyrics are an encouraging reminder to all of us that God is faithfully at work, molding us into the image of his Son. And He does that because He loves us and has a wonderful reward for us in the end…
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
Blessings to you all! I hope to see you this evening, and on Sunday for our Thanksgiving celebration as well!
Pastor Aaron
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