What Is Our Rest Connected To? (part 2)
* our rest is connected to our self-discipline
The definition of self-discipline is: discipline and training of oneself, usually for improvement. We can often think of being self-disciplined in most areas of our lives, but we may have a hard time connecting that to our spiritual lives. And we may have a really hard time seeing how it is connected to our rest. Glad you asked! ;)
Don’t you find that we cannot find rest when things are hanging over our head?
When we are unproductive we will have stress, not rest.
So, let me ask you this very personal question: Do you procrastinate? Are you lazy? Do you put things off until the last minute and then run around getting everything done and all stressed out, yelling and forgetting things. Not restful! I have definitely been there. It sets a whole frustrated mood.
In school I was a great procrastinator. I used to joke that I did my best work the last minute. Having kids, especially when we got to four, taught me if I want to go anywhere – and be on time (I hate to be late)– I needed to prepare things ahead of time.
Over time, I developed that skill set. It came with lots of bumps and bruises and a lot of apologizing to my family.
Sometimes we don’t have rest because we failed to prepare and plan ahead.
Matthew 25:1-13 tells the story of the 10 virgins who were waiting for the Bridegroom to come and to take them to the wedding. They all fell asleep because it got late and they got tired. There were five “wise ones” who prepared in advance and brought extra oil. When the Bridegroom and his party finally showed up, they were able to relight their lamps, get connected to the Bridegroom and go the wedding. The other five did not bring extra oil and were franticly running around trying to find oil and they missed out on the wedding.
There may be things that God has for us that we are missing out on because we are busy running around getting our oil.
Paul says in:
1 Corinthians 9:26&27:
“So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
Paul connects how we prepare, treat and train our bodies can directly effect us spiritually and end up disqualifying us.
Remember that beliefs form behavior. So, if we don’t really think what we do on a daily basis matters, then we will not be as disciplined in:
what we say
how we act
how we treat others
in our walk with God and aligning our lives up with His Word.
We can fall into a take or leave it mentality and our emotions dictate our choices.
Do I feel like praying and reading my Bible today? I don’t feel anything when I do those things, so I’m not going to do it. I’m tired, overwhelmed, sad, mad… so I’m going to watch TV all day, scroll on my phone, talk to friends, go shopping…
None of those things alone are bad, but are we using them to get out of doing what we need to do to grow in our walk as Jesus-followers and look more like Him.
Our families, our church, our world needs for it to matter. It needs to matter if:
I choose to be selfish or not
to watch that show and not spend time with God
go for that walk
say no to the second piece of cake
ask for forgiveness ….
it matters to God and it should matter to us.
He wants us to be transformed and that takes discipline.
When I am disciplined in ways that strengthen me spiritually, I know God more. I know His character and love for me, so I trust Him more. I have tools like cr Scripture, fasting, praying to fight the negative thoughts and unhealthy behaviors that want to keep me captive. AND that brings me rest! Plus a bonus is we don’t deal with guilt.
If we are going to impact and change the world, what we do everyday matters. The choices we make how we treat and train our physically bodies matter. The choices we make about what we read, watch and listen to matter.
Could how we are living disqualify us? Do others see God in how we regulate and run our lives?
May we each be able to say:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
and I have remained faithful.
And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give on the day of his return.
And the prize is not just for me but for
all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7&8
Your race will look different from mine but we are challenged here to be faithful. We cannot afford to be haphazard. Faithfulness takes discipline.
We want to be able to hear God say “Well done Good and Faithful servant.”
Here are two questions to think about as you spend time with God:
* What is something that you’ve been procrastinating doing that if you did it this week would give you relief?
* Remember beliefs form behavior. How have you seen beliefs form behaviors in your life? If there’s anything in your life – either action or word – that doesn’t currently match up with your beliefs, what can you do to change that?
I hope you have a great and wonderful day!
All My Love ~
Jodi xo
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