Spring is in the air a bit early this year for most of the country. Here in the Atlanta area, it’s not that unusual to be seeing daffodils peeking up their heads in late February, but my sisters up in Chicago are surely not accustomed to having the signs of spring showing up this early in the year. What a treat! But signs or no-signs, the calendar has turned to March and spring 2012 is definitely making its debut. Can summer be far behind? Dreams of summer take my mind to steamy Atlanta days and warm balmy nights. My thoughts can’t help but wander toward the fun things of summer ~ beaches, bike rides, hikes ~ which then shifts my musing quickly to shorts, sleeveless tops and yes, the much avoided swimming suit. I’m definitely not ready for that. Not with the 10+ pounds I gained in Italy last spring still clinging defiantly to my middle.

What I need now is a little discipline. Ohhh ~ there it is ~ that dreaded “D” word. I need discipline to take that two mile walk in the morning ~ discipline to say no to the “Five Guys” burger and yes to the grilled chicken salad ~ discipline to just do the things I know it would take to drop that extra ten pounds before June rolls around. But I have to admit, I’m not very good at the “D” word. Am I the only one? Probably not. As I was thinking about the discipline I need to get in shape for the swiftly approaching summer, I remembered that not so long ago God gave me a lesson on this very topic, teaching me about much more than mere physical discipline. Here is part of what I wrote in my prayer journal on that spring day about a year ago. I hope the lesson God spoke to my heart will be helpful to you as well.

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Father, two verses jumped out at me this morning as I finished reading the book of Hebrews. Paul was talking about discipline and of course, I was thinking of it in terms of punishment ~ kind of like sending a 2 year old to time-out. But after all the verses about a father disciplining the son he loves, the apostle Paul writes this: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hmm… like the discipline of physical therapy or exercise ~ painful.) Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet so the lame may not be disabled but rather healed. (Hebrews 12:11-12)

Amazing ~ that was me in Italy. I was lame. My ankle was weak from my recent surgery. I had to wear a huge brace on my weak knee because of torn cartilage. Before we left on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, I had to endure the discipline of physical therapy to strengthen my weak ankle and knee. But the part of these verses that spoke to me the most was about making level paths for your feet. All of the walking we did in Italy, all of the exercise, being on my feet for 10 to 12 hours a day, all of the going, going, going was good for me! I had no pain. I was being healed through the discipline of exercise. But, in order for this physical therapy to be good for me, I had to stay on level paths so that I would not, once again, become disabled. I had to stay away from the uneven cobblestones and the steep, crooked stairs, lest I turn my ankle again. As long as I stayed on level paths, the discipline of exercise was healing me.

Lord, where do we allow ourselves to go that puts us on spiritual “cobblestones”? What are the things that we ~ or should I say I ~ allow in my life that are stumbling blocks to my spiritual wholeness and healing? What do I allow to pull me down and away from You? Maybe it is too much familiarity. Perhaps, in my strong desire to know you and have an intimate relationship with you, I have somehow lost the AWE and the righteous fear of an all powerful ~ all perfect ~ all Holy God! Maybe I need to genuflect in Your presence more! Maybe I need to spend more time down on my knees, or on my face, before my Holy God.

What is it Lord? How do You need to discipline me? Me ~ who hates discipline ~ who can’t eat just one or two cookies, but must pick up number three. Me, who knows there are far better things I could be doing with my evenings than watching T.V. Me, who knows I should be getting up early enough to do both my prayer journaling and a thirty minute walk. Me ~ the undisciplined. Lord, how do you need to train me like my physical therapist did to build up my ankle after surgery? How do you need to strengthen my faith, heal my weaknesses, and keep me from turning my spiritual ankle and falling again? What do I need to do to get off of the cobblestone and onto level ground where I can walk and not fall, and where You can train me for Your work? If I begin to allow You to show me the lessons and benefits of physical discipline, perhaps through that You will show me more about the spiritual disciplines that will keep me on level ground.

Father God, Thank You for these two small verses, and how they are speaking to my heart in such a major way because of my own physical weakness and our wonderful trip to Italy. Show me more. All day, every day, train me. Make me strong in Christ. Let me run the race with perseverance and win the prize. (Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 3:14)