February 02 2011, 5:37 pm | Danny Jones
I was reminded recently of a thought that has crossed my mind in the past. What’s the connection between the words discipline and disciple? I have no desire to dig into etymology. I am not that smart. I simply observe the obvious and ask how this connection should influence the equipping of those who “follow me as I follow Christ”. If our definition of discipline pertains primarily to punishment, then maybe we need some etymology. But discipline must be seen in the context of training, whether it is self or other imposed. The need for training often comes in the context of failure, but the focus must always be redemptive rather than punitive. If this difference isn’t understood, discipleship falls into a punishment category, leaving confusion about the completed work of the cross. Understanding, however, the redemptive nature of both discipline and discipleship, I suggest a perspective on these words that brings a sense of anticipation as we live and call others to a disciplined life.
Henri Nouwen says, “Discipline is the effort to create space in which God can act. Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline ensures that somewhere you're not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline means to create that space in which something can happen that you hadn't planned or counted on.
This makes the correlation between the two words makes more understandable. Discipleship is the calling to a life that has space for God to be heard and obeyed. Disciple makes is happen. As never before, this is the need in our world. When I am presented with the meaningful and eternal things like intimacy with God, meditation on the Word, relationships that have time for hikes or bikes, compassion in a moment at a traffic light or a planned goal of seeing a homeless family redeemed, or intentional engagement in missional conversation in a sauna or at a bar, but I have absolutely no margin, these impulses either never register or I sigh at the annoying thought of adding another activity in an overbook and wearisome life. Discipline and the disciplines, however, produce “spacious” lives that bring freedom from that which fills and steals what life is truly about. They create space to evaluate what needs to be included or excluded. One cannot be a disciple or discipler without a strong calling to discipline. This is not a legalistic attempt to gain approval or earn points with God or others. It is about wisdom in what is realistic and important. In our world it will mean radial, counter-cultural decisions that limit entertainment to a treat rather than an expectation, that chooses not to be constantly accessible and thus under pressure to respond to less important questions or comments, to limit “conversations” with people who have little or no connection to the circle that I have chosen to live and serve in, and to understand that just because information exists and is accessible, it may not be vital or wise for me to access it. Saying no to seemingly benign things (that may be more malignant that I realize) and thus creating space to look God and others in the eyes and hear the tone of a voice and read body language and touch a trebling hand is where discipleship takes place. And if I am not disciplined enough to have this type of space in life, I will miss it and will not equip myself or the next generation for the fulfillment of Christ’s commission to his Church.