DISCIPLINE AND STABILITY

For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. Colossians 2:5-6 NAS

When I came to the Lord I was not a pretty sight. Many years of an undisciplined life left my character weak and deeply flawed. I did not come with a lot of good work or study habits. I pretty much did only what I wanted to do in every area of my life. I was an airline stewardess with enough tenure to only work three or four days a week. I made sure I didn’t fly any route that made me get up too early. I was easily bored with what I considered the mundane and glossed over little things like details. Even in my checkbook. My detailed oriented husband almost had a heart attack when he saw the sloppy way I kept it.

I would like to tell you that the minute I was saved great character traits immediately manifested in my life, but that wouldn’t be true. Some wonderful things did happen immediately. My language cleaned up, I by-passed the immodest clothing that hung in my closet for more modest fare, and I resisted using those “convenient lies” that so easily rolled off my tongue before the Holy Spirit took up residence.

For all my lack of personal discipline, I didn’t neglect times of reading my Bible and prayer. The wonder of that was explained when I heard someone say, “If you love someone you don’t have to discipline yourself to spend time with them.” Let that sink in. However, I continued to live by my motto, “I’ll do it when I feel like it,” for many years. God’s patience amazes me. Slowly but surely, diligence and self-control appeared as the fruit of the Spirit matured in my life. As that happened God gave me a little group of preschoolers to teach. Eventually my husband and I taught the teenagers. Then we began to teach the highly disciplined studies from Kay Arthur’s Precept Ministries. Amazing what His presence in our lives can do.

Good habits are essential if we are going to lead lives of accomplishment, but good habits apart from a love relationship with God can lead to a legalistic works oriented faith or a sense of self-righteousness. So walk in Him and with Him and watch your life bring forth the fruit of His Spirit.

PRAYER: Lord, I know that discipline and stability work hand in hand in my growth. Help me to be motivated by my love for you to meet with you day by day. Help me to be faithful to read your word and cultivate my prayer life as a way to stay intimately connected to You. I want my walk to bring joy to You and be an encouragement to others. In Jesus name.

MY CONFESSION: I received the Lord Jesus Christ by faith and I will walk in Him by faith today. I am disciplined and stable. Others will see the growth in my life and be encouraged. I stand on Your word.