Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 (NRSV) Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

 

Devotion: I learned over the years that spiritual discipline is a necessary element of the Christian faith. Yet it is not an easy thing to do or practice. It requires discipline until it becomes a habit. Spiritual discipline can be a variety of things. In the beginning of Lent, the Church invited us to observe a holy Lent: by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; by worship, reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.

 

Spiritual discipline should lead us to a life that is more godly and Christlike. It is supposed to help us trust our personal experience with ourselves, which is, in a way also an experience of God. Sometimes we are amazed that the two experiences coincide. However, when we practice a spiritual discipline and seek to know God whether through repentance, praying, fasting, worship, or reading Scripture, we also come to know and accept our own humanity; when we meet and understand ourselves at deeper levels, we also meet and know more of God. Thus it can be said that we don’t have any real access to who we are except through God, and we don’t have any real access to God except through knowing ourselves through our humanity.

 

During Lent, may we find the time to practice spiritual discipline by spending time away from our everyday work, our everyday surroundings, and allow space for God to clear our mind, relax and simply be at peace with God and with ourselves. May this Lenten Season allow us to refocus and be renewed in our faith for an overall healthy mind, body, and spirit.

 

Prayer: Gracious God, when it seems like we’re drifting away, help us to find our way back to you through spiritual discipline. Amen

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