Introducing Discipline

As I slammed the digging bar in the unyielding ground again and again, my mind couldn't help but wander.  As the sun beat down on me, I could picture myself floating in a pool or playing video games in an air conditioned room.  That would be optimal at this point.  But instead I was here, digging 4 foot by 4 foot holes in a hard packed dirt parking lot that was soon to be a paved parking garage at the Sparks maintenance yard. As I wiped the sweat of my face and took a look around, I realized that I hadn't seen anyone in hours.  If not floating in a pool, I could easily be sitting in the shade of the block wall a few feet away and relax for a few minutes. Yes, I had already had my last break an hour ago, but at this point I couldn't help but look longingly at the shade. As I got back to work and pushed those thoughts aside, someone from the maintenance yard came over who had been watching unseen and remarked at my diligence.  He then offered me a job on the spot at the City of Sparks. Why? Because diligence combined with discipline is rare!

The question I would pose is this, are the results of being a disciplined man worth the work and effort necessary?  Most of the world may agree in their words, but they show the truth of their real beliefs in their lazy lives.  I believe that the work, the lack of comfort, and the depriving of self is worth the result. Nothing great is ever accomplished without the combination of diligence and discipline, and, as a result, the sense of accomplishment is lost when we choose the easy road.  Freedom is another thing we choose to abandon when we lack self-discipline.  Our appetites and desires begin to enslave us when we sacrifice discipline on the altar of laziness and indifference.  The last thing I would touch on, besides the benefit of whatever great thing we accomplish because of our discipline, is my belief that we are made to be people of discipline. Something clicks within us when we can grab a hold of this principle and apply it. 

I speak as someone who has partially seen both sides of this.  I have been at times in my life a disciplined man who diligently works, and denies himself when necessary.  I have also been out of work and on unemployment with nothing going in my life. I found myself hating the man I had become. When you start toe become disciplined in one area it spills over to another, but the reverse is also true. When you let yourself go in one area, you start to do the same in every aspect of your life. When presented with the option of choosing the easy road or choosing the right road, always choose the harder, yet right, choice. You will be much happier in the long run with the result and the man you have become.

What is discipline and diligence?  Diligence is defined as the "persevering of determination to perform a task." It's being a hard worker, someone who doesn't give up no matter the obstacles. Discipline, when applied to yourself (self discipline), is "self-denial: the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses." When these two qualities are applied together they complement each other perfectly and achieve the desired result.  

So why am I talking about this?  It's not exactly a pleasant subject. Both of these words, but especially discipline, have very negative connotations. That is, they bring unpleasant thoughts and are to be avoided as much as possible. The reason I am broaching this less than fun and overall fluffy subject is because I see the necessity in my life. I am not writing this as someone who has been there and done that, as someone who is instructing those lesser than myself in how to become as awesome as I am.  I am writing this from the standpoint of someone who sees the necessity and the problem. Someone who is starting a journey and inviting others to embark with me. 

As a young man aspiring to the ministry, I decided to embrace the goal of being a disciplined man. I am starting an eight month journey to become spiritually disciplined.  The basis for this lies in the verse you see at the top of this page. Starting with faith, I am focusing on each spiritual quality above for a month. I am very excited about this, although somewhat apprehensive because I know it is going to be difficult and I will be easily distracted, but with God's help, I hope to achieve the goal and become a disciplined man.  That is the purpose behind this blog.  I hope that you will be benefited and challenged by what you read here. Feel free to join my battle and my journey, becoming a disciplined man that does not take what this world gives, does not settle for what the world accepts, and will not be distracted or lured away from the joy of being a man of discipline.