Inspired by Hebrews 12:7-13
“For [our human parents] disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but [God] disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:10-11
As Christians, we generally shy away from the idea of our loving God disciplining us. Yet God desires us to walk in his ways, and therefore will not reward us for willfully disobeying his commands. Most of the time the natural consequences of our actions serve well enough as discipline. Occasionally we suffer something akin to a ‘time-out,’ when we feel that we are separated from God entirely. Such a feeling of isolation is painful and a little terrifying, but we can rest assured that our loving Father is just beyond our sight, waiting for us to stop throwing our temper-tantrum. Once we’re calmer and able to reflect on our actions, how they do or do not fit in with how God desires us to live, and how they’ve caused hurt or destruction to ourselves or someone else, we’ll find that God will let us out of the time-out corner and start engaging with us again.
As we learn from this discipline, we’ll grow into a deeper relationship with God, and indeed enjoy the peaceful fruit of holiness that comes from living in right relationship with him.
Let us pray. Holy Lord, you desire us to experience peace, not pain. Enable us to see the error of our ways, that we may live according to your good purpose and give you no cause to administer your discipline. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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