More from Monica A. Andermann

Practice does make perfect, as I’ve learned. However, it also takes discipline. And discipline sounds like work, doesn’t it? In doing some research, I found that the word discipline, or disciplina in Latin, finds its roots in the Latin noun discipulus, which translates to disciple, which we understand to mean student. Further related, is the Latin verb discere, or to learn. So, ultimately, learning/being a student is rooted in discipline. There’s no way around it. As my friend Milli, the art teacher, mentioned in my writing (who became a prison chaplain in her “retirement” years!) would advise, “You have to do the work.”

In today’s devotion, I admitted to slacking in my Christian discipline at one time. Recently, though not to the same extent, it happened again. Prayer and study time became abbreviated to allow for more television watching, chit-chat on the telephone and, something else I sometimes enjoy in excess, crossword puzzles. What can I say? I’m not perfect.

One day, though, while lounging on my sofa, I realized that I had lost a bit of my joy. I felt increasingly dismayed by news of escalating worldwide troubles, difficult situations some friends and family faced were irking me, and a few bothersome issues in my own home needed tending to. In short, I had given in to a sense of despair, feeling both hopeless and helpless. That point sparked a realization—our existence in this flawed world will always be spotted with such imperfections. Yet, it is when I remain rooted in the discipline of Christian practice that I remain strong enough to barrel through the trials.

When Jesus called the twelve, he explained, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24, NRSVUE). The wonderful thing about Jesus’ teachings is that they are timeless and apply to all of Christ’s followers, then and now. So, within these few words I found the wisdom I once again needed to get back on track—deny my focus on any excess of worldly enjoyments and replace them with the true source of strength, peace, and joy. I’ve since re-committed increased prayer time to several specific issues. Yes, it takes work. Yet, when I imagine myself in fellowship with those for whom and with whom I pray, it is then that I settle back into a contentment better than any television show, phone conversation, or crossword puzzle could ever bring.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself is the Rock eternal. — Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)