Inviting discipline?

I just spent a most delightful couple of days with my adult kids. I am a man most blessed as I see the choices they are making, the way they are investing their lives in good things, loving God and loving people! Jay, my oldest son, and his wife, Lindsay, have two sons. Gavin, who is 3, is a delight; but, he's old enough to express his will. He has no illusions that he can 'win' in a confrontation with his Dad, but he regularly gives it a try anyway. When he determines he wants to have his own way, it is obvious a confrontation is brewing. Even though he knows better, he decides to 'steal' a toy his little brother is playing with happily. A squeal of protest goes up from Payton. His Dad says, "Gavin, give it back." A look of defiance comes over his face and he pretends not to hear. Dad repeats the directive a bit louder, with emphasis in his tone that says, 'now!' Usually he complies, but occasionally, mysteriously, he decides to wait until his Dad rises to walk to where he is before obeying. Sometimes, even then, he decides that trying to hold onto his own will is more important than risking the discipline of his father. Hopefully, you know what's next. No Grandfather likes to watch his 3 year old grandson being disciplined and the tears that follow are wrenching to my heart, but I am so glad that Jay and Lindsay understand the importance of loving, consistent discipline, for they are laying a foundation of respect and obedience that will pay off when Gavin arrives at the teen years that lie ahead. (Hey, parents out there. Isn't God good to let us see our kids have to work through discipline of their own children so they understand what they put us through? - smile.)

Many of us are a lot like Gavin in our relationship with our Heavenly Father! We know what's right. We have no illusions that we can win at our rebellion, but for reasons mysterious we often choose to do our own thing, even as the Spirit says, "Don't go there. Don't do that!"

Not you? Well, I must confess that I do sin willfully sometimes. It's not that I am proud of the fact. I just have to be honest about that. There have been too many moments in my life to count when the Spirit has called me to change course and I have persisted in disobedience. The alienation that results is terrible. In the moments that follow such willfulness I start to get a glimpse of what the writer of Hebrews refers to when he says, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (10:31, NKJV) I feel the discipline of God that starts with the broken fellowship, the sense that the Spirit's peace has lifted. It's not that He no longer loves me! Of course he does. When Gavin's Daddy sends him into his room for a 'time-out' he is not saying, "I don't love you and you're not a part of the family." He's saying, "You need to be separate for a while so you can think over your actions and make a different choice." So it is with God. He removes the sweet comfort of the Spirit's presence and lets us feel alone for a while so we will realize that we need to get in line with His will.

There is a mistaken notion of God's grace that is alive and well among Christians that says, "God love us so much, it doesn't matter to Him what we do or how we live." Wrong! God loves us so much that it matters very much to Him that we live in a way that maximizes our ability to enjoy His blessings, His presence, and an abundant life. Jay could choose to just let things slide with his 3 year son. After all, Gavin's choices for disobedience today are not really very big deals. He doesn't rob banks, kill people, or burglarize houses! He just takes his brother's toys, resists sitting at the table until dinner is over, and hates naps! But, Jay loves Gavin enough to go through the conflict, to help him to understand the importance of obedience now, so when he is old enough to do 'really bad things' he won't because he will have developed self-control, an understanding of rules, and a loving respect for authority. And thus, will enjoy life so much better than those who have run-in's with the law, who blow off relationships, and who are constantly in rebellion.

Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
Are you doing through a tough time with your Heavenly Father?
Perhaps it is His loving discipline.

"And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined?
If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all.

Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs." (Hebrews 12:5-12, NLT)