I must be honest. During this season of Lent, I have been less than diligent in practicing a spiritual discipline. Of course, I have an excuse. I have been busy. Selling a house, buying a condo, moving to a new city, making new friends (and trying my best to remember all your names), and learning a new job has taken up some time. I try to justify and say that this year has just been too hectic to add a Lenten discipline to an already busy life.
That is the thing about spiritual disciplines, though. They are not meant to be convenient. They cannot be easy. Discipline, after all, is practicing something that rarely ever feels natural. The practices of Lent, whether you decide to give up something, or to add a routine of showing kindness, or reserve time for study or meditation, or whatever you might choose to do should not be something you necessarily feel like doing.
Lent offers us an opportunity to see with Jesus. When we practice a discipline, we walk with him in the wilderness as he faces the tempter. We struggle with him as he resists the demands that he be the king. We agonize with him at Gethsemane as he deals with the reality of laying down his life. We hang with him on the cross as he nears death. We lay aside our living and we hope for the possibility of Resurrection, and the newness it will bring.
By the way, have you ever noticed how close the word discipline is to disciple? Both words come from the Latin word “discipulus”, which means student, learner, or follower. I find it interesting that one cannot be a disciple without discipline. A disciple is one who is finding a new way to see and know and be. And that requires discipline.
Perhaps you have heard of Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline. Foster does more than just cover aspects and ways of practicing spiritual discipline, he offers a way to see how discipline opens the door to discipleship. He says, “Disciplines are not the answer; they only lead us to the Answer.”
Maybe you are like me and have been putting off this practice of discipline. Not to fret, there is still time. 8 days remain in the 40 days of Lent. And I hope you have inferred already, but Lent is not the only time to be a practicing discipliner, or disciple of Jesus.
Luke reminds us of how we follow. He distinguishes himself from the other synoptics (Mark and Matthew) and adds a word to Jesus’ admonition to take up our cross and follow. In Luke Jesus tells his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their crossdaily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 NRSV).
Every day. Every season. Even if you have a condo to paint.
Peace be with you.
Christian
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