Discipline

1 Timothy 4:8 For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

I need to hear verses like this quite often.  I let myself become lazy in my faith and in my pursuit of God.  I don’t seek after Him first and instead seek to gratify myself.  I can train my body, I can gain more and more knowledge of things, I can further my education, I can work hard at my job. And make no mistake, these things hold value. It’s important to have an education and if the Lord calls, pursue a college education. But Godliness is infinitely more important and valuable. Because I may have an education but do I know Him? Which will matter more to me when presented with eternity? Godliness should be my first pursuit. My first desire. It should be something I’m always striving for.

I think I often get caught up in schoolwork, education, and my job. I think it’s the end of the world when I forget a paper due or fail a test or can’t work a shift. I get so caught up in this pursuit and I begin to neglect my faith which should hold infinitely more value in my life. God has really put the desire on my heart to know Him, and one of the best tools He’s given me to get to know Him is His word.

Reading has always been a delight of mine. I delve into books, become captivated and it’s like I’m there. I love it so much I got a job at a library. I’ve won trivia contests for books and I’ve re-read the Harry Potter series at least eight if not ten or twelve times.  Something that He’s convicted me of while being here is why don’t I have that joy when I read His word? Why don’t I get as excited about it and jump up and down and squeal? Why don’t I become totally lost to myself and completely engrossed in His word and hours could go by reading and I wouldn’t notice?  Loving books and reading is a gift and a particular joy that He’s given me and I don’t think He intends for me to waste it.  

Disciplining myself to love His Word and to seek Godliness because it is an eternal thing is hard because its not always tangible to me. I don’t always see the results immediately. But how much more rewarding it is to be filled spiritually verses the temporal filling we get from things of this world.

Application: I will discipline myself in my devotionals tomorrow and spend more time in them than I normally would.