Spiritual wind sprints

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. –Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV), quoted in Hebrews 12:5-6

In my younger days, I had many opportunities to experience discipline. Mama was a yeller and a spanker. She blew up quickly and administered justice immediately. Though she never hurt us, there were a couple times when she made us think she might, though I’m confident we got far less than we deserved in the way of punishment. Her model of discipline was somewhat reminiscent of the LORD in Numbers 16:41-45 – “Get away from these knuckle-heads, I’m fixin’ to kill ‘em!” (my paraphrase).

Daddy, on the other hand, took a more measured approach. He seldom raised his voice, and never raised a hand in anger. When he said, “I need you to go to your room and wait for me,” the twenty minutes until he arrived felt like an eternity. (At least with Mama, it was over quickly.) When he got there, we would discuss what I’d done, and how my behavior was inconsistent with who I was as a Christian and a member of this family. We’d talk about different approaches I might have chosen, and he’d propose an appropriate punishment to serve as a reminder/deterrent for next time. Daddy’s approach was more like the LORD in Isaiah 1:18-20 – “Come, let us reason together…”

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. –Hebrews 12:9-10 (NIV)

The word “discipline” derives from the Latin word meaning “pupil”. It’s the same root as the word “disciple”. When we speak of self-discipline, or spiritual disciplines, we are talking about cultivating habits to improve our health, be it physical, mental, or God-directed. When we hear of an athletic team that is undisciplined, we hold the coach responsible – he has not properly prepared his team. As a result, they are unfocused and self-centered. They are often caught out of position, frequently penalized, and make too many mental errors. They have a hard time winning.

Discipline is more about training than punishment. It is never, in any way, about taking out frustration or anger on one who is weaker or unable to escape. God is in pursuit of our hearts. There is no joy, for us or for Him, if our affections are forced only as a matter of compliance. God allows us to suffer the consequences of our disobedience. He takes us through trials that exercise our faith and make us stronger. He never piles on out of spite or meanness.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. –Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)

Remember wind sprints? We always hoped coach would forget and send us to the showers after drills and scrimmages. But no – he wanted us strong the last ten minutes of the game and he knew we had to build that slowly, day by day, starting months before we ever took the field against an opponent. We do well to understand and appreciate God’s discipline, both as sons and as fathers. Pursue the hearts of your family, as your Father pursues your heart.