When We Need Discipline in Our Lives

If I could only be obedient in everything I say and do. But I can't because I'm flawed. I'm not perfect, and I'm allowed to be not perfect.

The hard part is that we strive to be perfect all the time. When we fall, we are disappointed and our world comes crashing down on us. Sometimes its a downward spiral towards defeat and we feel that we will never shake it off. However, there is a solution. Pick yourself up out of the dirt, wipe off your hands and start over again. So what? You failed. Big deal. But this time you know what to do and how to fix it. And if you fall again, repeat step number one.

Do me a favor. Make a mental note of something you have dealt with in your past and have failed. Have you overcome that obstacle? If you did, than how? If you haven't yet, what can you do different next time something like that comes your way? It is so important to make note of the mistakes you have made and to fix them. If you don't do this now, you will eventually come head-to-head with the dilemma in the future. (Whether the same temptation or conflict comes your way, or whether you are reminded of the way you dealt with the situtation.)

We must discipline ourselves to do what is right and fair, and fix those mistakes we have made.

Hebrews 12:11-13 says, "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed."

My study bible calls the "lame" those who waver in their Christian faith. It killed me to read that because I knew it was true. If I am ever struggling with being obedient, I am being lame. That stinks to tell yourself that, but its a reality we have to face.

My prayer today is that I can overcome those weak knees that are preventing us from being obedient. But just like a cripple, I need to lean on a crutch. The Crutch. I think that is my new favorite name to call Christ. The cross is the perfect crutch to lean on today - so let's do it! Now, and every day from now on!! Discipline yourself to go to the cross every time you are wavering.

Ironically, after I wrote this, I looked up the "12:28" challenge in The Domino Effect study for community groups. It says "Dive in. Find a physical deception or an artistic representation of the cross to reflect on.. As you do, take some time to mediate on the work that Christ did on the cross. Remember that on the cross, He died for all the sin and evil you have chosen. Dive into the abyss with Him and face your barracuda, trusting that His arms are spread wide for you."

Lead me to the Cross...