I would say the main argument from Whitney’s workSpiritual Disciplines
for the Christian Lifeis found in chapter one when he states, “Although
God will grant Christlikeness to us when Jesus returns, until then He
intends for us to grow toward it. We aren’t merely to wait for holiness;
we’re to pursue it.”[1]Whitney then goes on to say the way to pursue
holiness is found in the 1 Timothy 4:17 passage that says, “Discipline
yourself for the purpose of godliness.”[2]The overall argument, in my
opinion, of the book is that Christians are to pursue holiness and doing so
requires discipline. Therefore, understanding the disciplines of the
Christian life and how to apply them is of utmost importance. I would say
that I agree with Whitney’s argument. There is a balance in the Christian
life, as there is with most things. We are as Christians called to holiness
and called to pursue it. Understanding what the disciplines are and how to
apply them is a critical skill for Christians to learn. However, there is also a
balance with allowing the Spirit to work. There have been moments in my
own journey where I was not actively disciplining myself in the things that
Whitney talks about; however, God’s Spirit moved and used me and grew
me even in seasons I didn’t pursue that growth.
The three spiritual disciplines that I struggle with most are stewardship,
silence & solicitude, and fasting. I have been bad at stewarding my time
well. As a pastor I have found that I am in one of two states constantly:
completely “on” and engaged or completely “off” and disengaged. In
other words, when it’s time to be a pastor I am engaged and doing
everything I need to do. However, when I am alone and no longer at the
church or doing something for the church I am completely disengaged and
have no energy to do anything. Learning to steward my time and energy
in a proper way where I am not so disengaged at home is important. One
way to work on this is by creating an intentional time and day on my
calendar to be away from work, but also use it for time with my family and
with my wife. Having it on the calendar will keep it before my mind so I do
not forget and can prepare for it.
Fasting is something to help refocus the mind and heart on God by giving
up something for a certain amount of time. One thing that keeps me from
this is my phone/email. It is always going off and I feel the need to always
have my phone by me so I can answer texts or emails as soon as possible.
This has led to me seeming disinterested in those around me because I
am caught up in answering a text or taking a phone call. I need to
intentionally turn off my phone during certain hours of the evening when
I’m home and take a day a week to leave it off for the entire day.
The last discipline is silence and solitude. This is being intentional in
taking time to be alone and silent and to reflect on God. I find that my
calendar is always busy and has something to do on it. I need to take
more time to be alone and silent and to reflect on God. One way I can do
this is by waking up an hour earlier each day and spending that first hour
in silence and prayer with God.
Word Count: 669
Bibliography
Whitney, Donald S.Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.Colorado
Springs, CO: NavPress, 2014.
[1]Donald S. Whitney.Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.(Colorado
Springs, CO: NavPress, 2014) 18.
[2]All Scripture, unless otherwise noted, comes from the English Standard
Version of theHoly Bible.
