Disciple {A Word For 2012}
Sometimes we don’t need another chance to express how we feel or to ask someone to understand our situation. Sometimes we just need a firm kick in the pants. An unsmiling expectation that if we mean all these wonderful things we talk about and sing about, then lets see something to prove it. –Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This Christmas I received a book called “Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God”. I’ve only yet read the first few chapters, introducing the concept, but already I love it, as I suspected I would. For a long time I have been convicted at the lack of discipline in my faith and the quote above encapsulates it perfectly. I need more spiritual discipline in my life to show that I really do mean what I say I believe. It’s not about salvation through works, it’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to take a hold of my life and change me into what He desires me to be. It’s about putting your money where your mouth is and doing the hard work of spirituality in order to reap the good things that go along with it.
I am free to go about my life as a “lukewarm” Christian, but to be honest there’s no joy in that. No fulfillment. Saying that you are living for Christ without actually disciplining yourself to grow spiritually rings hollow in the end. Consider these words from Bonhoeffer: “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ”. Do you agree with that claim? I am definitely nodding along, and though it is an extreme statement, it’s one I cannot criticize.
*
I watched a romantic comedy the night before last, and in it the main characters are the fiancé and the bride’s best friend, who begin to have an affair. The guy ends up breaking off the engagement to be with the other girl (the best friend of the bride-to-be), and the overall message is that following your heart and passions is far superior to doing what is right (in fact, the two are pretty well equated, with no regard for morality whatsoever).
In this world we are bombarded on all sides with the gospel of self-fulfillment. Feelings are valued over morality, lust over love, and indulging in your physical desires is much more important than self-control and delayed gratification. This message is in direct opposition to the discipline and self-denial that is inherent to a life of discipleship. Discipleship is not “normal”. It is not popular. And it certainly is not easy.
We have learned to live with unholiness and have come to look upon it as the natural and expected thing (A.W. Tozer).
It can be difficult not to become ensnared by these subtle messages in our culture. Difficult, yes, but not impossible, and I think, mandatory for growth and closeness with Him. Do I want a Christianity without Christ (not really faith in Christ at all!), or do I want to live now, to really truly live my days with every moment attuned to Christ?
Christianity does not consist in any partial amendment of our lives, any particular moral virtues, but in an entire change of our natural temper, a life wholly devoted to God (William Law).
*
So how to achieve this? The how has always been the part that trips me up and intimidates the heck out of me. What if I try it and fail? What if my life is miserable? What if, what if, what if?
Or what if I find the satisfaction and joy and maturity that we are designed to seek our whole lives?
My word for 2012 signifies the journey I begin in earnest. It is a getting-down-to-business and an acknowledging that I have been a gung-ho believer, but a poor disciple. I want to grow in maturity, and I am ready to accept the work that is necessary to do so.
In 2012, I will explore these spiritual disciplines (some of which I am more familiar with than others):
- Solitude and Silence
- Fasting and Frugality
- Secrecy and Sacrifice
- Study and Prayer (This is the hardest one for me, and one that I will focus on first.)
- Service and Submission
- Worship and Celebration
- Fellowship and Confession
It’s probably going to be downright difficult (nearly impossible?). But I am convinced that while I cannot become spiritually mature on my own strength, I can choose to submit myself to the practices that will lead me to Him. To discipline myself to attune my heart to Him and allow him to change me with his power and strength.
Disciple.
A journey. A commitment. A disciplining of self, that I might live more fully for Him.
A postscript: I want to say thanks to all who read here regularly. I am completely humbled at the amount of people who find something of worth in my words. All of the glory for that goes to Him, and I thank-you for giving me the opportunity to write my heart and have it be heard. What a privilege! It’s probably pretty obvious that I am trying to grow my readership, to increase this community, and to use this place with integrity. If you enjoy what you read, would take a moment to “like” Red and Honey on Facebook, to subscribe, or to share your favourite articles? I would be so appreciative and honoured.
I wish you a happy Christmas season and new coming year of fresh hope to you today!
I found this post kind of by accident (after following your cough syrup recipe from pinterest for my sick toddler) and I just want to tell you that I *love* the word you chose for 2012 and all that it encapsulates. Thank you for challenging and encouraging me today! My favorite part was ” It’s not about salvation through works, it’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to take a hold of my life and change me into what He desires me to be.”
Amen to that.
Don’t know if you read comments on old posts, but thought I’d put this up anyway. I feel like I’m in the same boat. I feel like I’ve been selfish and indulgent with my time (using the tired mother of 3 young kids excuse). I too find studying and prayer to be the hardest and want to work on that this year. Keep sharing what works for you, you never know who it might help!
Not sure how I missed this post but I just saw it today. As for my ‘word’ of the year, what comes closest is Continuation. As I shared the other night, there has been some really positive growth since coming to tiny town (as you call it
) and I want to continue on this journey and maintain growth in 3 main areas specifically. 1) eating real food and sharing the knowledge I have gained with others 2) delving deeper into the Word and continuing inductive bible studies 3) bringing order to my home on a daily basis.. And this does NOT mean perfection or cleanliness everyday – but order and tidiness yes.. I have always been one to do it every few days or before people come over, etc. but I definitely see the value and the mental shift in my attitude when there is order and tidiness, and I know that it will only positively affect my family.
I love that concept… and it reminds me of my word from last year, which was “steadfast”. Good areas to focus on!
Those are great disciplines. I am curious to see which words surprise you in impact.
Thanks Tracee, and welcome to R&H!
Sorry, have to add. By “hoping more,” I mean trusting in God and placing my faith in him for the present, the future, and eternity. Hope is a big deal to me. Living without it is ridiculously depressing. Living with it can be inspiring, faith-growing, and change-motivating. In light of our own 2011 and recent tragic events in the life of someone I know (who is living in Christ’s hope in the absolute darkest of circumstances), I want to be far more intentional about this particular of the “faith, hope and love” virtues.
What an inspiring post! Took me awhile to think of a word, but it came to me while writing the other day: I’m going to be working on hoping more in 2012. I know it sounds trite, but I’ve had a fairly pessimistic and negative attitude – far more so than I’ve had before. I do want to implement the spiritual disciplines more into my life, but want to be more intentional about it rather than just picking a few at the moment (because then I probably won’t stick to it). Thanks for the thoughts!
Crystal, I LOVE your word, and I think it’s particularly admirable for you to choose that given the curveballs of 2011 for your family. Thanks for striving to be above the negativity – you are a welcome example in this world of pessimism.
AMEN!
Thanks for sharing this. Definitely worth thinking about. For 2012 we are determined to get our finances in order. It’s just a horrible cycle we keep going and it is very overwhelming. Also truly hoping to move back to Marysville, where our church, majority of friends and family are. As lovely as this house is, it’s just too far away.
You know, it’s taken us nearly 9 years of marriage, but we are finally (FINALLY) managing our money totally responsibly. I should maybe blog about what we’ve done differently! It’s hard to do…. but not impossible!
Oh I would love to hear about that! We are handling our money WAY better than when we first got married but still have so much student debt that little setbacks are extra discouraging. I love hearing other people’s money stories
Alrighty, officially on my mental-to-write-about-list then
This is absolutely something I am going to be working on this coming year as well. My pastor recommended the book Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster (http://www.amazon.com/Celebration-Discipline-Path-Spiritual-Growth/dp/0060628391) which I’ve since bought and look forward to digging into. The book you are talking about sounds great as well.
Yes! That’s the first book I want to read! I read it in first year university (a Christian uni) and just did not fully appreciate it back then.
Great call to discipleship. I decided to focus on one area and do it well this next year. So I am looking at all disciplines to be a cheerful giver.
That’s a great idea – I will probably space my focus out as well, but I will probably change it up monthly. Being a cheerful giver – that will be a fascinating year I’m sure!
Another great book along the lines that you described about the actual work of putting spiritual disciplines into practice is Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard. Our Sunday School is going through this book now and I can safely say it is changing my heart, mind, and practice in significant ways.
Thanks for the recommendation – I will look that one up for sure!