“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)
REFLECTION
One of the reasons why I’m so passionate about encouraging my students to make a consistent effort (and teaching them the value of discipline) is because I dodged discipline as a youth and endured extremely painful consequences later on. The truth is, we can either courageously endure the upfront pain of self-discipline (consistently doing, in faith, what we know to be good and right regardless of how we may feel) or we will have to endure the very painful consequences of apathy / laziness, without the rewards that come with diligence. One of the saddest things I’ve witnessed while teaching children in the classroom is when very capable children do not apply themselves, and in turn do not develop as they should, mainly because they were not consistent with the hard work of daily discipline in the small details pertaining to their homework. “He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteousness in very little is unrighteousness also in much.” (Luke 16:10 ASV). If children are not taught to apply themselves to small daily tasks and learn from little corrections (both at home and at school), then when they reach adulthood they will not be sufficiently equipped to deal with bigger challenges, which would not only negatively affect them but also those around them.
The good news is that while we have breath it is possible (albeit not easy), by God’s grace, to become more disciplined …at any age. May God be glorified as we prayerfully consider the way we live and take appropriate action in faith, hope and God’s unfailing love.
PRAYER POEM: Living Hope
Lord, as I meander through the mist and the mystery, help me draw near and heed what I hear.
Teach me to trust in times of trial and testing, as well as in abundant blessing.
Leaning on You, our Living Hope, help me help others venture up the sacred steep slope.
Set my mind on things above and lead me to learn the Heavenly language of love.
