The Race

“Endure hardship as discipline…but God disciplines us…that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on…it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb 12:7, 11

Have you ever dropped something only to search the area without any success? You know you dropped it, you know where it landed but you see nothing. After walking away and returning you glance down at the same spot to see it lying there. The same happens to me with Scripture. I have seen a word, a verse or a passage a hundred times before but all of a sudden the Light hits it just right and a new discovery is found such as this morning.

I have never noticed how similar the words discipline and disciple is in meaning. The word disciple means student or somebody who believes in and follows the teachings of a leader. The word discipline in the Bible refers to training a child. I have always associated discipline with punishment which now seem worlds apart to me. Punishment correlates to sin and disobedience while discipline seems to indicate a classroom of learning or training that prepares us for something crucial in the future. The disciples certainly were in training while following Jesus as they faced many hardships. He was training them in righteousness so that when the work of faith had been complete (the cross and resurrection) the harvest of souls that would be brought in would be numerous and multi-generational.

The purpose for our training both in the valleys and mountaintops will also produce stronger faith and a deeper holiness in our walk. At some point the student becomes the teacher through this discipline and produces the faith required to lead others to Christ.

'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, (those who were trained before us) let us throw off everything that hinders (despair, discouragement and weariness)...and let us run with perseverence the race marked out for us (God's unique plan for each of His children.)' Heb 12:1