One of the greatest challenges to the Christian practicing their spiritual disciplines is the consumerization of their faith. They go to churches to be spoon fed and entertained. They may be inspired but do little else to invest in their personal spiritual development. For many the idea that there is a deeper level to faith than church attendance is lost. The very idea of spiritual disciplines is alien to them. The spirit of the age has convinced them that their faith is physical like all else and there is no need to go beyond that level.
Exploring the inner man and inner life is below the radar of the nominal Christian but to the follower of Christ, it is high priority and essential to live a strong Christian life of spiritual maturity. There is no other way for a believer to consistently live close to God, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and overcome the influence of the world in our daily lives. We follow spiritual disciplines because they help us turn from self and the world to build godly habits that will become the normal way of life for us.
The apostle told Timothy to “exercise yourself toward godliness.” In the Community, we practice the spiritual disciplines as did our Savior so that we can daily become more and more like Him.
“Lord, help me to discipline myself more. Give me eyes to see my need and a desire to grow in you. Let me practice that which You practiced. Amen.”