“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”

Dr Billy Graham once said, “God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness.” Very few people initially read this verse and like it. Loving discipline doesn’t sound particularly normal. I am writing this between sets at the gym. When I come in, the front desk always cheerfully tells me to enjoy my workout. I simply reply, “No.” They chuckle. I hate working out. I do it because I need to. There is a tendency to see discipline the same way. Given a choice, we would often decide to skip it—especially as children. There is a distinct difference between loving discipline and enjoying it. I do love how my workouts (cumulatively) enhance the quality of my life. I also love how disciplining my spiritual life (cumulatively as well) greatly enhances my life. Too many, both inside and outside the Kingdom, see God as sitting in heaven watching and just waiting to catch us doing something wrong so He can zap us. That is so far from the truth. Perhaps an earthly father or mother parented that way. It wasn’t the right way for them either. That’s lazy parenting—and God, in His love for us, is anything but lazy. His discipline is born out of pure love and a great commitment to conform us to the image of His Son. Today, receive discipline as the gift it is—and grow. #BeTheEdge

“Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:6 NIV