Celebration of Discipline

Over 20 years ago I read and loved a book that is still being sought after because of the impact it has continued to have on its readers. That book is Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. It’s likely that the pairing of those two words is still a challenge for many. However, there is no doubt that there is much to be celebrated for those who embark on, and continue to pursue, a deeper relationship with God through a journey with those practices called the spiritual disciplines, or the way of Jesus.

‘Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people,’ says Foster. Is this as true today as it was 20 years ago? Perhaps more so in our world where distractions from the path of spiritual growth and deeper relationship with God, have only multiplied. Foster continues, ‘the classical disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths and urge us to be the answer to a hollow world.

This is not just an invitation to those who would devote all of their time to prayer and meditation. It is for people in formal ministry or informal, people who care for children, have jobs, in the midst of relationships with family, friends and neighbors.   The primary requirement is a longing after God, as the Psalmist expressed, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God (Ps 42:1,2) 

And lest we believe we are too young in the faith, or too far along to embark on an adventure into these practices, let it be said with Thomas Merton, “…let us be convinced of the fact that we will never be anything else but beginners, all our life!”

Foster emphasises that the practice of spiritual disciplines is not about a series of religious duties undertaken in order to please God. It is when we despair of gaining inner transformation through human powers of will and determination that we are open to the  wonderful  truth that inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received. (Romans 5:17) The disciplines are simply a means of receiving this grace. They help us place ourselves before God so He can transform us. They are meant to bring the abundance of God into our lives. They are not to be turned into a set of soul-killing laws.

The discipline of meditation was familiar to many authors of the Scriptures who expressed their longing for a deep relationship with God and sought Him by immersing themselves in His word, rehearsing His deeds, ruminating on His law, reflecting on His works. In the midst of His busy ministry Jesus made a habit of withdrawing to quiet places alone to be with His Father, to listen to Him, to commune with Him. And he invites us to do the same.

What might it mean for you this year to make it a priority to explore the rich, life giving practices of silence, solitude, meditation; to deepen your experience of prayer, worship and reflection on the Scriptures; to develop a life rhythm of simplicity where  inner transformation and abundance of joy and peace, the gracious gifts of God’s spirit, may be poured into  your life.