Who You Are

I'm reading a book right now by Bill Hybels called "Who You Are When No One's Looking." It's a really good book. One chapter is about discipline and I just thought it was really interesting, especially because I have just made this goal to set aside specific times every day to study my Bible or books.

First, the author tells what it takes for him to reach his full spiritual potential. For his personal spiritual life, he found three things he has to do in order to help his spiritual life flourish. For him, those three things are participating regularly in church, interacting with God daily, and having fellowship with other believers. He says you need to find the things for you to make your spiritual life flourish. This, he says, is where discipline comes into play.

When you determine what has to happen on a regular basis for you to flourish in Christ, it is time to make some advance decisions. If in order to grow spiritually you need to be part of the body of Christ when it gathers to worship, make an advance decision to be there - and GO. Say, "All right, I will be with the body of believers when it assembles. I will attend church every Sunday morning." Don't wait until Saturday night when you get in late and then ask, "Do I feel like setting the alarm?" Don't ask, "Well, who's speaking? What's the message about?" Don't look out the window to see what the weather is like. Go because you've already decided to do so.

In the same way, if you need personal time with the Lord each day, find the time, block it off on your calendar,and keep the appointment. Perhaps you have your devotional time when you get up in the morning, when you arrive at your office, during your lunch hour or before you go to bed at night. You might spend the time reading your Bible, praying, writing in your journal or listening to a tape - anything that strengthens you in your walk with the Lord. Structure your time and activities in whatever way best suits your needs, but do not leave your time with the Lord to chance. Make the advance decision to keep your daily appointment with him, and keep it without fail.

This just really spoke to me because I am really not disciplined! But I am trying to be. I hope you thought this was interesting too!