What insights from Foster’s discussion of the Spiritual
Disciplines are most relevant to you personally? With which do you agree
or disagree most strongly?
The phrase “the path of disciplined grace” struck a chord with
me. I have never quite heard it explained this way and it makes so much
sense to me. I love that Foster addresses the fact that it is not just my
desire to change, but it is God who changes me. It is a free gift,
yet I still have to put effort into it. I think one of the reasons I have
looked at many of the disciplines as daunting and somewhat impossible is
because I have attempted to do them on my own. I know that real change
only comes from God, but actually putting in the work and allowing Him to
change me is the challenge. The delicate
balance of allowing God to change me yet working toward change is very tricky. I really appreciate the way that Foster
addresses this balance.
I also was struck by the section where he
talks about “will worship.” For me this
has been a black hole that I have been sucked into time and time again. Without being intentional about relying on
God to do the real work, I have found myself discouraged and frustrated because
the results don’t last. On the flip
side, when I feel like I am doing a good job, I have the tendency to pat myself
on the back as if I did something. I
have never quite seen how wrong this is.
The explanation he gives of this being a form of idolatry caused me to
do some serious soul searching.
I have a feeling that Foster is going to challenge much of how I view the
disciplines. I am excited to read more and dig a little deeper.
I like your thoughts about the balance that Foster suggests is the line between the chasms of self-reliance and hands-off/let God do all the work thinking. It kind of seems like a tightrope walker. No matter how long you've been tightrope walking, you still need to pay attention and be intentional with your steps or you can still plunge off to either side. Hopefully this becomes, if not easier with time, at least more ingrained into our spiritual walks as we go. High fives to Paul and NateDogg from the (other) Smiffs!
ReplyDeleteI like how you described the challenge of keeping the balance between allowing God to change us and working toward change. My comment on Mike's blog expressed my own thoughts on this. But, you are more eloquent. :)
ReplyDelete