I understand and relate to your thoughts on Journaling and can see how it would
be a safe way to vent about and reflect on certain aspects of one's day. One
aspect of journaling I had not thought of is the benefit of tracking spiritual
progress and goal accountability. “A journal is one of the best places for charting
your progress in the other Spiritual Disciplines and for holding yourself
accountable to your goals.”[1] Many journal to capture obvious works God does in
their lives so they don’t forget what God has done in their lives at certain stages
of life. Your point on journaling prompted a recall of Whitney’s point that
journaling can also be used for progress and accountability. Between your point
and his, it is clear journaling is multifunctional and one of the best tools
Christians have for spiritual growth and reflection. Safely venting on issues in life
through journaling can help properly process emotions and track progress in every
area of our daily walk. Thank you for your thoughts on the subject and for
allowing the opportunity to dwell a bit more on the benefits of journaling. You
write that "holiness is built within our alone time." However, it is not just holiness
that Christians should be concerned with. Whitney writes, "It's crucial-
crucial
-to
understand that it's not our pursuit of holiness that qualifies us to see the Lord.
Rather, we are qualified to see the Lord
by the
Lord, not by good things we do."1
Therefore, Whitney places emphasis on godliness when discussing the Spiritual
Disciplines topic. It is through the pursuit of godliness that a Christian becomes
more holy. Whitney additionally writes, "The Spiritual Disciplines are those
practices found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the
gospel of Jesus Christ."2 It is with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that enables a
spiritual hunger to strive for godliness and holiness.
Fasting was a normal occurrence in early church history. It was not uncommon
for the early Christians to fast at least two days per week and for special
occasions. However, it has now become a neglected Spiritual Discipline, and I am
guilty of not fasting. Dave Earley explains that "Fasting has long been an ally in
spiritual formation. Fasting, as practiced in the Bible, means “not to eat” or “self-
denial.” In the Old Testament, the word fast is derived from the Hebrew term
tsom
, which refers to the practice of self-denial. In the New Testament, the Greek
word is
nestia
, which also refers to self-denial."3 I was under the misconception
that fasting was an ancient biblical practice; however, I have quickly realized I was
wrong. Whitney cautions that fasting should be practiced with the right heart and
mind. He states, "It is useless to fast as a way to impress God and earn His
acceptance. Faith in the work of Jesus Christ makes us acceptable to God, not
our efforts, regardless of their intensity or sincerity. Fasting has no eternal benefit
for us until we have come to God through repentance and faith.”4
Dave Earley explains the idea of solitude. He writes, "Solitude as a discipline
involves shutting ourselves away from people so we can shut ourselves away with
God. It is escaping the sound of human voices so we can hear the voice of God.
It is the voluntary abstinence from our normal patterns of activity and interaction
with people for a time in order to rediscover that our strength and well-being
come from God alone."5 Solitude is closely associated with silence and stillness.
As you noted, Satan plays an integral role in disrupting a Christian's daily life. The
roar of daily life with its pressing schedules, crowds, responsibilities, etc. drowns
out the faint divine whisper. Solitude is that one-on-one time with God to focus on
what He wants to say
Personally, my spiritually disciplines and relationship with Christ has grown from
stepping away from the Church body that I grew up in. As I have taken some time to
experience various denominations and the ways that they worship and praise God, I have
grown in my ministry walk and relationship. It has helped to recognize the difference of
Church traditions and what is biblical. a As I have walked alone, it has encouraged me to
walk fully in trust of the Lord, leaning on him. As the text mentions, Moses was
transformed alone, sometimes it takes a journey alone. “In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul exposed
the emptiness of religion without a growing relationship with God. He contrasted living a
life of religious law with living a life in the Spirit of God. He spoke of the old covenant’s
“ministry that brought death” (3:7) and the greater glory of the new covenant.” a a I loved
your view on spiritual disciplines as drudgery. a “If we consider these activities
drudgery, then we need to check where we are at in our spiritual walk with the
Lord.” a I think this is a very valid point of view. a I think there are areas of life
where we can coast, or just go through the motions to get by, but our time and
activities with the Lord should not be considered as one of these areas. a If we
feel we are in a rut in our obedience or activities with the Lord, we must
reevaluate our position. a Are we being obedient? a Are we being faithful? a Can we
be better at glorifying God? We must remember that obedience requires
discipline, and discipline provides direction.[1] a Pettit and Hillman noted that we
must focus on God and gift our time and attention to Him to fulfill our calling as
His children.[2] a When we reevaluate our current position and posture, it allows us
to take a step forward in realigning with the Lord in faith and obedience. That
realignment keeps us where we are supposed to be on our spiritual walk with the
Lord.
[1] Donald S. Whitney,
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
(Colorado Springs,
CO: NavPress, 2014; repr., 2017).
[2] George Hillman, "Calling and Spiritual Formation," in
Foundations of Spiritual
Formation: A Community Approach to Becoming Like Christ
, ed. Paul Pettit (Grand
Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2008).
Whitney, Donald S.
Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life.
Colorado Springs,
CO: NavPress Publishing, 2020.
[1] Donald S. Whitney.
Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life.
Colorado
Springs, CO: NavPress Publishing, 2020, 249.
