Discipline seems like a foreign topic. Moving from dance to technology was like changing worlds. In dance, you have to take care of your body, and devote a majority of your time to improving yourself, constantly keeping movement in the back of your mind, correcting your posture, working out muscle kinks before they can become an issue, changing positions before that slight discomfort becomes a stretched ligament or tense muscle...
People think I'm naturally gifted in movement, sports and computer science. All of the freedom and agility I now enjoy are a result of years of intense training. I'm still constantly trying new things and doing things that are just a little beyond my reach or patience to improve.
Paul speaks to two steps in these verses. Train to win. Apply your skills to win. I like the bit about it not being aimless. It seems that a well defined goal and a fair amount of discipline are essential to being effective. Perhaps that ever-delayed daily devotional or often shunned ministry opportunity are things that require a examples of a lack of discipline.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
1 Cor 9:7-14 - Get Some
vs 9, Don't keep the workhorse from enjoying the hope and results of its labor as it works.
For me, this touches on one of the issues I've had as an artist in the church. When I danced for various studios, I expected compensation for my efforts. When I danced, sang, played the drums and so on for the church, I always had issues with accepting compliments/gratification. For some reason, I had it in my head that it was wrong to accept gifts or payment for the services I provided. Even outside the church, I had a really difficult time accepting cash from someone I helped out with computer issues. This passage sort of sets my mind at ease because it sounds like he's saying not only is it acceptable to accept gratuities, those who devote the energy they would have otherwise spent in search of funds for food have the right to such payments. Granted, it's a right he wouldn't demand, nor would I, but it means that I don't have to feel bad about gifts.
Thoughts?
For me, this touches on one of the issues I've had as an artist in the church. When I danced for various studios, I expected compensation for my efforts. When I danced, sang, played the drums and so on for the church, I always had issues with accepting compliments/gratification. For some reason, I had it in my head that it was wrong to accept gifts or payment for the services I provided. Even outside the church, I had a really difficult time accepting cash from someone I helped out with computer issues. This passage sort of sets my mind at ease because it sounds like he's saying not only is it acceptable to accept gratuities, those who devote the energy they would have otherwise spent in search of funds for food have the right to such payments. Granted, it's a right he wouldn't demand, nor would I, but it means that I don't have to feel bad about gifts.
Thoughts?
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