August 19th - Reflection

Hebrews 12:3-17 (NRSV)
Call for endurance

Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children -
"My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
or lose heart when you are punished by him;
for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts."

Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears.

Reflection
I find joy in discipline from God. This is for learning and healing and making better. Discipline is the recreation into something new. I find sorrow when God is silent.

It is much the same with people today. When people fall silent in your error, it may be that they are either frightened to say something or that they have given up on you. Who wants to be a player on a team when the coach doesn't correct your mistakes by telling you? How would anyone on the team improve? Likewise, how would the team improve if this attitude were too wide spread.

Constructive criticism and discipline and boundaries are a must in relationships of love and respect. When these characteristics are absent there is selfishness and greed.

I find joy in discipline from God whose love is so deep that God sent Jesus to save me from sin, death and the devil. God grants life and gives hope for a new creation and a new life. I find joy in this discipline and guidance and teaching. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, when I sin, when I err, teach me and show me the correct way to respond. --- Amen