Spiritual Disciplines

Most of this post is paraphrased or directly quoted from chapter 12 of Jan Winebrenner's book, Intimate Faith, referenced in the section on Great M-ing books!

We are the bride of Christ. But since we cannot see Christ in the flesh at this point, our challenge as believers is to learn to live in the reality of the invisible. The writer of Hebrews said, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1). Aid Paul said, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

But HOW do we do that? How do we fix our eyes on something we can't see?

It is through the exercise of spiritual disciplines that the invisible realities become real to us. God often allows us to make a connection between the spiritual disciplines and something tangible - preparation for running a marathon, for example. Or preparation for a CPA exam or passing the BAR. He often uses something we enjoy - or something that will bring satisfaction once completed - to give us a picture of discipleship and an understanding of the function of spiritual disciplines in a context we can relate to.

God's disciplnes are spiritual activities undertaken with the physical body and used by God to lovingly lead us into the comfort and joy of knowing Him.

As we wrestle with our inadequacies, God often teaches us that it is not important that we perform the disciplines perfectly at all times, but that "a naked intent toward God, the desire for Him alone, is enough." (Johnston, The Cloud of Unknowing, p 56). How different is this from our thoughts as young Christians - that we just desire to live a good life and do good things. We often desire approval and acceptance before God and our peers. But desiring God himself, alone, above everything is what He wants.

For every Christian, there must come a time when we realize that, for all our knowing about God, we don't really know Him at all. We begin to feel a thirst that we can't quench by simply reading a verse or two in the Bible. A quick prayer at mealtime doesn't satisfy a gnawing hunger in our spirits that lingers long after we leave the table.

If we are fortunate, we have contact with one or two Christians whose lives resonate with the presence of Christ (mentors?!), and we are, quite frankly, baffled by them. Then, as though gently shaken from a light sleep, we become aware that, for all our doing right, we haven't gotten it right at all. What God wants is for us to know him, like one lover knows another. We must seek Him alone. Learn to love Him above all.
The spiritual disciplines mark the route we take as we run after God. They lead us along the path that takes us into intimacy. They become our compass and chart into the invisible realities of the kingdom of God. The spiritual disciplines train us who are flawed and finite to know God, who is holy and infinite. They lead us into ever-deepening levels of intimacy with him, where we discover new canyons of grace and love. They train us to live in the reality of the invisible.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to sign up for spiritual discipline boot camp! Bring it on that I may know HIM - the author and perfecor of my faith - deeply, intimately, with all my heart, soul, mind and strength!