I have very little, if any, discipline. One area is that of books and reading. There are very few times during the day when I don’t have my Kindle beside me and open while watching tv, listening to music, eating a meal, sitting on the deck or front porch, etc. In itself, that’s not so bad, but anytime I hear of a new book coming out, I cannot help but go to Amazon, or any number of Kindle book sites, and click away. Due to funding, the libraries and bookstores are unable to buy enough large-print books which is what I and so many others need to read. There are excellent free resources through our Henry County Library System that provides download of newer books and audiobooks, and I often use these resources, but sometimes I want a book to “keep” in my device and/or cloud for future reading. Often, I will have to put myself on “Kindle restriction” and not buy anything for a while, but that doesn’t usually last very long because … I have little discipline.
Because of health concerns, I am not supposed to eat foods with high fructose corn syrup. However, all the foods I like to eat have high fructose corn syrup. I try to not look at labels, and even though I’m fairly sure that my food contains this forbidden ingredient, I will eat a serving or two before looking at the label. Again, I do these things because … I have little discipline.
As a Christian, we are called to live a life of discipline and self-control. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth; to live as if He were living with us and walking beside us. And, in actuality, He is.
We were given instructions and guidelines on how to live our lives so that people can tell a difference between the way we live and react as opposed to those who are not believers. However, the line gets blurred because so many Christians don’t always live along those guidelines. Language, entertainment choices, inappropriate use of technology and social media, demeaning others, gossip; all these things (and more) are not how Christ expects us to live. And, I am at fault in some of these areas, too. And, I just pray that my errors in judgement have not caused someone watching me to stumble in their faith.
The Scriptures say we should not think more highly of ourselves than others. We should bear one another’s burdens and problems. Compassion, not judgement. Love others, not gossip about them. Treat others like we want to be treated. This is one of the biggest problems with social media. People are just nasty to and about others and you aren’t anonymous. We know who you are and that you may be a Christian. And you shouldn’t be so nasty about people in such a public forum because you are doing damage to your witness for Christ, plus doing damage to other people. If you must give your opinions, think of it as if Christ were sitting there watching you type. Would you be writing the same things?
It all comes down to … Discipline. Discipline in our lifestyle. Discipline in our faith. Discipline in all we do. In my opinion, living the Christian life is not so hard, it just requires much discipline. Of mind, of body, and of actions. Calmness of mind and life. And if this very undisciplined person can do it with a degree of success, I have confidence that you can, too.
And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.
