LEARNING DAILY

 

Titus 2:6, In the same way, encourage the young me to live wisely in all they do. (New Living Translation)

Joshua 1:8, Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. (NLT)

 

Here are two questions to consider this morning. What does it mean to “live wisely”? In the Greek this would mean “to be self-controlled”. We live in a get it quick, impulsive oriented world. I remember as a kid going to McDonald’s to get a burger, fries, and a coke (for $.39) and the workers going to a warming station to get the order in just seconds. Oh, fast food was yummy! Today, I can put a chicken pot pie in the microwave and be eating it in less than ten minutes; remember when it took fifty minutes to bake? That’s the world we live in and people expect it at every business. Don’t make me wait in line at Walmart! We have lost our ability to wait and lost the ability to be self-disciplined.

 

Self-discipline is “one of the keys to life, to discipline ourselves to do what we need to do so that at a later time we can do what we want to do”, writes Tony Dungy in his daily devotional, Uncommon Life. He continues saying self-discipline is one of the keys of life that is intended for men and women walking in faith, need to learn in order to live the lives God wants us to live. That is the life lived on the narrow way to His kingdom. Self -discipline is certainly a key to a Christian life centered on honesty, integrity, godly character, and in all our relationships. It is a key to living wisely in all we do; it is a must to grow in God’s plan for your life in order to keep on the narrow way.

 

What is “success”? Worldly success is centered on achievements, position, and money earned. For some it is about the number of touchdowns thrown in a career or the title of GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). It is about being competitive in eyes of the world and winning by doing whatever it takes. But in God’s kingdom it is about the heart! It is about focusing our lives on what we know is important – walking on the narrow way, relationships, character; it is about living wisely in all we do! Real success is doing what God has called you to do. It is about finding out what God wants you to do and doing as well and as faithfully as you possibly can. What really matters is what God thinks of you, what He considers success to be.

 

How is your self-discipline? Is it strong in some areas and weak in others? Ask God to help you in those areas you are weak in to help you be better disciplined. He wants to see you be stronger in areas where you are weak while continuing to be strong in the areas you are strong in. Don’t become discouraged when you fail; take your failures to the Him who understands your weakness and trust He is helping you to become strong. It is a process and only when we enter His kingdom in eternity will the process end with you being perfect and being like Him.