2.16.9 "The Balance of Discipline & Responsibility"

"The Balance of Discipline & Responsibility"

Leviticus 1:1-3:17
Mark 1:29-2:12
Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 9:13-18

"By sunset the courtyard was filled with the sick and demon-possessed, brought to him for healing; and a huge crowd of people from all over the city of Capernaum gathered outside the door to watch. So Jesus healed great numbers of sick folk that evening and ordered many demons to come out of their victims. (But he refused to allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.)

"The next morning he was up long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. Later, Simon and the others went out to find him, and told him, 'Everyone is asking for you.' But he replied, 'We must go on to other towns as well, and give my message to them too, for that is why I came.'" (Mark 1:32-38)

Jesus was a busy man. The responsibilities he had were huge in human terms, not to mention the spiritual impact. There is one thing that is important to note about the life of Christ. He did not allow his Responsibilities to exceed his discipline. He had many crowds after him, yet He knew the value of time in prayer. He woke up before dawn to find the time. It took more discipline to match the responsibilities before him.

This is an important principle that we need to apply to Live the DREAM. Too often we get out of balance in this area. For a variety of reasons our responsibilities increase. This is in itself not a bad thing, but to maintain balance, we must make sure that our discipline grows.

Discipline is the spiritual principle of Empowered through Biblical Training and Responsibility is the principle of Active Ministry Involvement. As our "ministry" expands, we must grow proportionally in the disciplines of spiritual growth.

Our "ministry" is not just church involvement, it is the responsibilities of work, home, and the use of our time, talent and resources. It is so important that we understand how great these responsibilities are. When we acknowledge their value, we must respond by making whatever steps of discipline that are necessary to empower us to be who God has created us to be.

There have been times when my responsibilities have seemed overwhelming. My flesh's first reaction is to "back off". To walk away from the responsibilities. In seeking the Lord, what I've found is that my proper response is not to shirk responsibility, but to increase the discipline. With time in the Word, and seeking the direction of the Lord, we are equipped to handle the responsibilities properly.

There have been times I have been approached by an individual who has a vision for what God wants to accomplish through them. I love seeing their excitement, but too often, no steps are taken to accomplish it. The steps that are necessary are steps of increased discipline in one area or another. Maybe it's faithfulness. We want these things to "just happen" for us, instead of growing in spiritual discipline to accomplish what is before us. I hate seeing people sitting around wondering why nothing ever happened. They have the talent, they have the vision, but they lack the discipline.

Jesus knew his mission. His life was with purpose. He said, "... that is why I came." We need to keep our mission before us at all times. It will help us to discipline ourselves to handle the responsibilities before us.

Take the time for a self-check today. How does your discipline & responsibility line up? Are they in balance? In what area do you need to increase in discipline? When are you going to start that? Do it today!


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ