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A while back, I started a series on the book Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster that I wanted to revive. Over the years, I’ve gone through this book several times, and these 12 disciplines are something we seek to live out daily. As a refresher, the twelve disciplines are split into three categories, below, and today we’ll focus on the Inward Disciplines.
Inward Disciplines | Outward Disciplines | Corporate Disciplines
I have 3 disciplines to go (all in the corporate section) to complete the series, so I though what better way to get us back in the swing of things than by reintroducing each of the three sections! I’ll be posting on Fridays as we continue this series, so be sure to join in as we take a bit a refocus on the spiritual disciplines this new year!
Inward Disciplines:
meditation
prayer
fasting
study
The first four inward disciplines are aimed at improving your personal spiritual life. Each of these areas focus on how to grow within that spiritual practice. In a way, they build upon one another, however I’ve come to find they are more intertwined than stepping stones. Often times, when I’m struggling in one area, another area will begin to lack in fullness as well. I invite you to read, or re-read, these four disciplines in the coming week with me. As we start the new year, let’s begin to center our hearts and minds.
As with most things in life, starting with yourself has a great deal of value. Now I certainly don’t mean selfishness, but realizing that unless you are taken care of (nourished, well rested…) it’s really difficult to pour out to other people. If this is true in our physical lives, how much more evident is it in our spiritual lives? It’s amazing to me the difference in my life when I truly take the time to focus on these practices. In every season on life, each of these disciplines may look very different. And that’s ok. Each time I’ve read through these, I find something new, something meaningful. Each time I engage in the practice, I become more whole. More full. Of His goodness, His grace, and His joy. And it’s only when I’m full, can I start to overflow to those around me.
While I know you might say you don’t have time, pouring into yourself will impact every other area of your life. You relationships, your job, and your very happiness. So think of this as the time when the stewardess tells you that in case of emergency pull the mask over your own nose & mouth before helping others – because what good are you if you can’t breathe? Let’s start filling those lungs.
To recap all of the spiritual disciplines from Foster’s book, check out the full series: Celebrating the Spiritual Disciplines
