Have you ever felt extremely out of shape? Perhaps at one time you could run that mile, you could lift that weight- but for some reason- right now it seems near impossible. Where do I start? How do I start? Do I start with walking? Do I lift that moderately light weight and hope that eventually I can get back to where once was? I’m a little desperate for change.

If we expect results- if we expect change- we must get disciplined and we have to be willing to get up and move. The same is true for our spiritual lives. Are you in a season where you desperately crave the voice of God, but he’s been a little silent? Perhaps it’s time to evaluate your disciplines. It might be time for you to move. Often, we are desperate to hear from the Lord, but we aren’t willing to change our patterns or routines that would facilitate change and invite His movement, welcome His voice.

“Then the Lord took hold of me and said,

‘Get up and go out into the valley, and I will speak to you there.’

So I got up and went, and there I saw the glory of the Lord, just as I had seen my first vision by the Kebar river. And I fell face to the ground.”

Ezekiel 3:22-23 NLT

In Scripture, physical training is often used as a metaphor for spiritual training:

“Don’t you realize in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 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.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT

Ask yourself this: Is my spiritual life purposeful, or am I just shadowboxing?

If you find you are not running with purpose, it might be time to engage the spiritual disciplines- meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, celebration.

Discipline is not legalism. It’s an open door to building relationship and establishing a firm foundation.

Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline stated, “The life that is pleasing to God is not a series of religious duties. We only have one thing to do, namely, to experience, a life of relationship and intimacy with God.”

Therefore, the goal of discipline is not religious perfection, but inward transformation- created only in deep intimate relationship with Jesus, communion with the Father, and patterning our lives in step with the Holy Spirit. In scripture we find numerous examples of those who practiced spiritual discipline and experienced a meaningful, fruitful, deep relationship with God- Daniel was known for his prayer habits, Paul lived a life of simplicity and surrender, and Jesus submitted His will and ultimately His life to His Father. These are just three of numerous examples of those who practiced disciplines consistently.

“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your life after mine and learn from those who follow our example.”

Philippians 3:17 NLT

Discipline isn’t the most fun and exciting topic- but I promise you (as has been evidenced in my own life) consistently practicing spiritual disciplines is the building block of the spiritual life we desperately crave. If you are hungry for the presence of God- start practicing them consistently. Make them part of your daily walk- and you will come face to face with the Living God. Do you want to experience an encounter- get disciplined! Disciplines produce freedom, not bondage because they develop an internal work in us.

Perhaps it is time to introduce something, new, different, fresh to your spiritual life. Watch an inside out transformation and overflowing joy from your spirit.

I challenge you to practice spiritual disciplines for the month of November. Pay attention to the changes you witness. Record His voice. Stay consistent, practice discipline, and you will see how discipline creates an internal change in you and me.  

- Kierstin Almstrum, ARISE Director of Online Operations and Project Management