Hebrews 12:10-13...he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.I have been on a bit of a Hebrews kick as of late... man, what a great book. It is a bit complicated in sections BUT if you can wade your way through the Melchizidek/High priest conversation (which has incredible ramifications) you will find some amazing fruit.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Hebrews 12 is an especially fantastic chapter of the Bible that I have been reading with greater detail in the past few months. In the midst of it lay this powerful passage dealing with the nature of a Jesus followers life. The mysterious author tells us that discipline is a normal part of a parent and child relationship... and that, just like our earthy parents, God disciplines His children to mature them into the kind of followers He desires. The author even states the obvious so that we will not over spiritualize this truth - "discipline seems painful rather than pleasant" (the way WE wish it was). AND it IS a type of training... to become something more than what we currently are... tough training.
But THEN, the author changes the perspective.
No longer talking about what God is doing in the discipline... the author challenges us in how WE are to respond under the discipline. I was struck by this idea of strengthening myself so that "that which is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." - suggesting that I have a part to play in this discipline process.
I don't know about you, but often I find it so much easier to simply sit in the pain (or shame) of my (or somebody else's) sin than rather deal with it. OR, to sulk in the discipline and consequences of the actions for so long that my hurt moves from "lameness" to "out of jointness"... instead of doing everything I can (ie. lift my drooping hands, strengthen my weak knees, and make straight paths for my feet) to get to the place of healing. Hmm...
1 comment:
yeah, i have been in hebrews 12 lately too... the whole of hebrews is on my mind... especially the discipline part because i keep imagining that life is as easy as pie but for us to walk with God means there will be discipline, there will be change and moulding... when has that ever been comfortable?! it goes along with the message from re:hope this week i think, where the must confess sins and be willing to change... in the uncomfortable or difficult process, the result will be holiness, glory... thanks for sharing this amidst the busy week!
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