Pathways Press.com

Written by Seth Scott, a contemporary professor of counseling.

To experience true freedom, we must train and practice through discipline, whether in spiritual matters or physical, because we are holistic, embodied beings. I am not free to do anything, I am only free to do those things for which I have the capacity gained through discipline, grace, or situation. For example, if my daughter is running in a marathon and I want to run with her, I am only free to enjoy this experience if I have disciplined my body and mind through practice and exercise. The more I train, the more expression of freedom I have to draw on the reserves of strength I developed. I only have as much freedom to experience and enjoy a relationship with my wife or children as the discipline I committed to spending time and energy devoted to building that relationship. The extent on my freedom in all things depends on the depth of my discipline toward growth in the expression of that freedom…Our calling to freedom is a calling to live as God created us and intended us to be. We were created to live in perfect relationship with God, one another, ourselves, and creation. Sin distorted our view of all these elements, turning our desires and perceptions inward. We are no longer free to run the race set before us because we carry the burden of our sin nature and the impediments of temptation block our path. … Freedom in Christ is the freedom to live as we were created to live, serving one another in love, through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we can also experience God’s love expressed through His Spirit in Christian community.   

Prayer:

Written by Lindsey Borngren, a contemporary therapist and writer.

Dear God, I pray that with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in me, I can guard the minutes and hours you have given me. I pray for self-discipline. And I pray that you would do more with my minutes and hours than I, alone can. Amen.