The Power of Disciplined Effort

We are a culture that relishes in excellence in athletics.  Literally billions of dollars are spent each year in America on spectator sports, with the big money draws (baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, and nascar) garnering a sizeable treasure chest and air time.  We treat the titans of these events like gods, tracking their every move (whether silly or noble) as if every thing they do and say are critical.  Without a doubt, the American public is addicted to sports, and a goodly amount of our broadcast time, news coverage, and overall interest and conversation flow from the exploits and defeats of these modern day heroes and heroines.

While it is clear that everyone likes to see the sheer brilliance of athletes in their field, very few of us are aware at the cost and price involved to reach their level of expertise and excellence.  While everyone would love to play soccer like David Beckham, or hit a golf club like Tiger Woods, or shoot baskets like Kobe Bryant, we are not sure if we are willing (mainly able!) to withstand the never-ending workout regimens that they endure to attain and sustain that excellence.  For professional athletes, they must rigorously, constantly, and carefully discipline their bodies and minds to reach the levels of peak performance that their daily competition demands.  If they ignore their discipline and regimen, even for one tiny little episode, it could cost them that edge that has made them household names for those who follow their sporting careers.

The Importance of Self-Discipline

In the field of spiritual maturity and discipleship,we must learn the power and advantage of discipline and rigor.  Paul, in challenging Timothy with the message that would prepare him for a long ministry of fruitfulness and maturity, emphasizes the importance of self-discipline in attaining godliness and frutifulness in ministry.  "If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.  [7] Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;  [8] for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.  [9] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance" (1 Tim. 4:6-9 [ESV]).

Paul here exhorts Timothy to train himself for the purpose of godliness, and contrasts the rigors of physical discipline with those of the pursuit of godliness. He suggests that while physical discipline and bodily training carries some value, it cannot be compared to the overwhelming value of the pursuit of godliness, which "holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Tim. 4.8b).  Paul does not slight the excellence that physical exercise and bodily training can provide; it can be of some legitimate value, especially in professional sports!  Yet, the kind of serious, rigorous application of discipline in spiritual matters carries boundless value, not only presently but in the age to come.  Discipline for the purpose of godliness is high value investment for the disciple of Christ.

All the various media technologies, digital assets, and communication resources today require real effort to master them (although, our third grade nephew seems to know more than we do when it comes to the web and games and such).  I believe that everything the Lord has provided us has been given in order that we might glorify his name through the use of technologies.  We can use the various rapidly-developing technologies for their most important and legitimate end--the advancement of the Kingdom of God in the earth.  I am convinced that God calls men and women in various vocations to excel, and to use their competencies in creative, disciplined ways to further our communication of the Gospel and influence of his Church.  We ought to deploy men and women into the media disciplines to exploit these digital resources with Kingdom thinking in mind, to, as my old Wheaton college professors use to drone, to think Christianly about the world and its developments.

Mastering the Media for the Kingdom's Sake

Let's not be unwise here.  One can easily subsitute slick websites and fancy Facebook pages for spiritual subtance and depth.  Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians 3 that the wisdom of the world is futile, utter folly to God.  But, he also says that all is ours, we are Christ's, and Christ is God's (cf. 1 Cor. 3.20-21).   We must be shrewd as snakes, harmless as doves, and disciplined as professional athletes!  A tall order but a winning combination for those who want to master the media world for the sake of the Kingdom.

The next time, therefore, that you are ready to pull your hair out regarding the confusing, tangled, and indecipherable processes of the web or digital technology, remember what is at stake in your victory.  The web and related resources are saving ministries untold millions of dollars in funds, making available sharp and helpful tools to anyone with a computer, and blazing new trails for those who insist on making the Gospel known, however we can everywhere we can.  The pursuit of excellence in multimedia communication can pay real dividends for those of us willing to pay the price to master these tools for the sake of Christ.

~ Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis