Working in ministry, I see too often people who get disillusioned with Church, because they admittedly aren't "getting anything out of it" or aren't finding feelings they used to associate with certain programs, people, or groups of people.
I understand where they are coming from here for sure. But there are obviously major flaws with this kind of association with and expectation of Church.
I believe that spiritual disciplines are the key to the drought of spiritual connection that people are attempting to quench in their lives. This is a difficult subject for many people to understand because spiritual disciplines are a far cry from depending on preachers, programs, and worship leaders to deliver some sort of spiritual euphoria to the people.
Most Christians with any association with the church in their life, no matter how strong or tattered that association is, know the spiritual disciplines (whether they know they know is a different story). However, I believe that disciplines don't get practiced for several reasons:
1) For some Christians, early in their spiritual development, it can be difficult to practice the disciplines and sometimes even more difficult to understand why. If this is you, you should embrace where you are spiritually. Yes, passionately crave the things that are of God and from God, but also embrace where you are in your journey.
Lord, forgive us for ever believing that following you with all we are is not enough. Help us to understand the journey and embrace where you would have us presently reside.
2) Many Christians know them and may practice them at church, but do not place any importance upon them in their lives because, well, simply, they're too apathetic about it to take the time to understand why it matters.
Lord please rid us of apathy, and ignite within us a passion for all things You.
3) Others place a very high importance on disciplines, but in the business of their lives have trouble actually practicing them regularly. Admittedly, I would fall into this category off and on, and unfortunately even though I can admit this, I know I will fall into this again and again.
Lord help us to repent from giving our schedules the status of idol.
4) Some Christians know that spiritual disciplines are important for other people to practice, but they don't see the importance for themselves. I think if many of us are honest, we could find times in our lives where this is us. This is a form of spiritual narcissism, where we are subconsciously convinced that we are simply blessed to be more spiritual or religious than those around us.
Lord help us to not be like the Sadducees.
5) Lastly, I think many evangelical protestants believe that practicing spiritual disciplines are attempting to do "works" and not rely on "faith alone". Unfortunately for people who hold this view, they have a distorted idea of the purpose of spiritual disciplines. They believe that when people practice spiritual disciplines, they are trying to force growth through their own actions - that they are acting just like the Pharisees. This is a common misunderstanding of spiritual disciplines and in fairness, falling into this trap is surely a danger that comes with practicing the disciplines. But, as we discussed in the last blog post, misunderstandings and possible misuse of things associated with Christianity does not render such things irrelevant, unimportant, or wrong.
Lord let us see the good in what you have said is good: restore in us a true understanding of how we seek you and your will.
Disciple translates to student. Students must put in time and effort, especially if they are to teach as well. Disciples practice the disciplines.
I would love to discuss these ideas further, especially if you think I have done the subject injustice. Feel free to contact me at becomingthelast@gmail.com!
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