Reflection of the Day
"Then, resuming his thought on what God had taught him through bereavement and other difficult experiences, Oswald continue:
'I know one thing it has done is to give me a line of ministry that has become more prominently latterly. I take the Disciplines that produce maturity: the Discipline of Disturbance; the Discipline of Darkness; the Discipline of Disappointment; the Discipline of Discrimination (the ways of the Lord are not equal) and the Discipline of Delay. All of these have been experiences I have known, and through which God has worked something into me that meets the need of other people. It is not something one is conscious of, but it works its way into the ministry without being conscious of it. It is there, and it does something.'
"Then he laughed as he recalled how prophetic had been the judgment of two matronly ladies as they discussed the preaching of the very young Oswald Sanders: 'He'll be all right after he's suffered!' Then he sobered again as he referred to an address he sometimes gives to ministers on The Price of a Ministry: 'All fruitfulness is touched with the Cross,' he said in conclusion."
To Fight Better, pg. 173-174
The Discipline of Disturbance, the Discipline of Darkness, the Discipline of Disappointment, the Discipline of Discrimination and the Discipline of Delay. I am afraid that these are very unfamiliar disciplines in our day and age. Certainly, much of this is unfamiliar territory to me.
One thing, however, is evident. Growth in Christ comes through difficult and painful means; this is the only way through which some of life's most important lessons can be learned. Yet this is what our generation tries not to have anything to do with. Ours is a generation drunk with the pleasures of life and instant gratification, knowing little of hardship and suffering.
May we be willing to face the pruning of the Lord, that we may grow in Christ, and be fruitful for the work He has prepared for us, to bring glory to His name.
Teach me these disciplines O Lord. I choose to bear the Cross.
One thing, however, is evident. Growth in Christ comes through difficult and painful means; this is the only way through which some of life's most important lessons can be learned. Yet this is what our generation tries not to have anything to do with. Ours is a generation drunk with the pleasures of life and instant gratification, knowing little of hardship and suffering.
May we be willing to face the pruning of the Lord, that we may grow in Christ, and be fruitful for the work He has prepared for us, to bring glory to His name.
Teach me these disciplines O Lord. I choose to bear the Cross.
posted by desmond at 11:47 PM
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