Into the Fire

Some children really do need a good spanking. Regardless of your views on styles of discipline or punishment, if you’ve ever watched a parent trying to reason with a two year old, you begin to wonder which of them is the most immature. I know. I know. Parents who do this insist their child comprehends their tone and is smart enough to figure out the problem—which means they can also understand the reason for the disagreement and the solution to the problem—uh huh. I’m sorry, but I have yet to see this work successfully. Discipline is required—at least biblically speaking. And it isn’t a fun little “serious” talk. It’s a good whack with a “rod”. Choose your weapon. Sorry.

My point being is that sometimes we adults need a good whack with a rod to get the Lord’s message. We might not perceive ourselves as being argumentative or as being disagreeable to the Lord, but the Holy Spirit gives us ample clues to alert us to the fact that we’re acting superior to the One who knows all—past, present, and future. Could we be any more stupid?

You might guess I’ve been in that unenviable position of having a difference of opinion with The Almighty. I’ve also been in on the kind, generous, and patient “clueing in” of the Holy Spirit as to how I was . . . well, wrong. Being the stubborn, self-righteous individual that I used to be a lot more than I am now, I received many warnings before the spanking arrived full throttle. It was no small deal. It ripped me to the core. The sad part of the whole mess was that I had it coming. Totally. And when it came, I knew it. From my head to my toes, from the inside out, I knew it. I can’t tell you anything more and I can’t tell you enough how devastating it was to experience.

Switching gears a little bit here . . . discipline is at the crux of writing a novel. It requires dedication to finishing a project. To write for the Lord by His direction entails obedience. Writing is no better, no worse a gift than other assigned tasks. In a Christian’s life, the Spirit rules. We live/walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We follow directions, orders, pathways ordained by God. It’s important we do our “jobs” regardless of reward. Our reward should come from pleasing God, and in the hope which declares blessing follows obedience. Determining what constitutes “blessing” is where we often get in trouble.

Usually, the first novel is an awkward journey. Not for some, I’m sure. For me, with life requiring so much of my time, it took me 8 and ½ years to get that first monster done. The other five came in bunches. Then another. And then another. Now I’m back at square one with number eight. And I don’t want to get whacked for being lazy. Undisciplined. When you take a break from putting an entire book together, you can lose momentum and the drill it requires to get to The End. So with prayer I’ll stave off the disciplinary actions by disciplining myself to commit to the project because I love to do it and I need to do it.

How ‘bout you? Is your discipline self-induced or heaven forbid God-enacted?

God, for every time I disappoint you, please forgive me. I ask for the fortitude to continue doing what you ask of me. I’m desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.