Lord, I Want to Be More Like You
What comes to mind when you hear the word “spiritual disciplines”? Do you instantly run in the opposite direction? Are you filled with shame or disappointment, feeling like you don’t quite measure up? Do you think of them as nice, but unattainable goals? Or, do you beam with pride thinking you’ve checked enough of them off your list for the day?
The truth is, even if you’ve spent your whole life in the church, we often don’t fully understand what spiritual disciplines are, why we should put them into practice, and what they practically can look like in our lives. We have misconceptions, half-truths, and years of not-so-great experiences that shape our views.
However, what if we shifted our thinking and took time to break down what we think we know and build it up with truths from God’s Word? It starts with a humble heart and a simple prayer of, “Lord, I want to be more like You.”
What are Spiritual Disciplines?
“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” - 1 Timothy 4:7 (NASB)
Spiritual disciplines are intentional practices done to cultivate our attention toward God. They are meant to help us focus on who Jesus is, what He’s done for us, and the mission He’s called us to fulfill (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that it’s the Holy Spirit who is transforming us into the image of Jesus. However, we have a role to play in choosing to cooperate by putting into practice spiritual disciplines.
We must understand that they are not a list of legalistic rules, the ultimate goal of Christianity, or necessary for salvation (Eph 2:8-9). Instead, they are the means by which we pursue the goal of godliness.
Why Should We Practice Spiritual Disciplines?
Growing up, I was the child who would always have my verse memorized, my tithe in my pocket, and my Bible in hand when I showed up to Sunday School. I was determined to fill my sticker chart by completing these tasks. While these were good things and great practices to establish early, my heart was far more focused on the sticker chart than the God my memory verse was about.
God doesn’t have a sticker chart with our names on it. We practice spiritual disciplines out of a deep love for the Father and a growing desire to become Christlike.
Not only that, but we practice spiritual disciplines to fight against our flesh. Disciplines require work, attention, and a commitment that goes beyond how we feel.
In Romans 7:18 Paul writes, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”
We don’t have the ability to be Christlike on our own, but with the Spirit in us and our commitment to discipline ourselves, we do have the ability to take steps towards godliness.
How Can We Practically Implement Spiritual Disciplines?
All of this sounds great, but how can we do this when our days are busy, our free time is scarce, and our spiritual life seems to ebb and flow?
To put it simply you just do it: day-by-day, little-by-little.
Set aside 5 minutes, then 10, then 15 to pursue the things of God. Use natural pauses and downtimes in your day (early mornings, daily commutes, lunch breaks, time when kids are asleep, etc.) to focus on a spiritual discipline. Give up little things like phone time, tv time, or social media to make space. Then, when the space is created, use it intentionally.
This is not a complete list of spiritual disciplines, but here are a few things we see people practice in the Word of God that you can implement:
Spend time in the Word
Pray
Fellowship with other believers
Meditate on truths found in God’s Word
Confess your sins to God
Fast from food and/or other pleasures you spend your time on
Serve others
Spend time alone (solitude)
Worship corporately and/or individually
Observe the Sabbath
Do you want to be more like God? If so, set your heart towards the Lord and your mind towards spiritual disciplines.
