Inventory Time

A year ago I was doing a preaching series on the subject of discipline. It was a difficult series because discipline is not easy or fun. One of the quotes from that series carried a level of clout that caused me to commit to review it every once in awhile. Since it has been a year, here goes:

“We are to support our faith with self-discipline, a concept which often
seems extreme and unneccesary in today’s times, but is indispensible in order to
have the spiritual muscle to face the challenges to our faith posed by our culture.
This self-discipline is more than willpower, but involves the classic disciplines of
fasting, prayer, silence, solitude, Bible Study, service and fellowship.”

It is self discipline that keeps us from indulging in things that may be pleasant but not good for us. It keeps us from buying things we cannot afford and eating things that will shorten out lives. It keeps us punctual and on track so we have traction for the race. It keeps us in life-long learning mode so that we do not become stale. It keeps us focused to that we are not side-tracked and led astray.

September is a good inventory month. It is a good time of year to check our supplies and make room for the harvest. We can review the first three quarters of the year and see what needs to be accomplished or enhanced before winter. Part of a good inventory includes a look at the classic disciplines listed above. I am not at a 10 level on all those areas but I may be able to take an area where I am a 6 and bring it up to a 7 or 8 with some work. I need to take the areas that I am perhaps at a 2 and bring it up to 3 or 4 simply by bringing it into the light of scrutiny.

“Press toward the mark”