Hebrews 12

“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but healed instead.”  Hebrews 12:11-13 (HCSB)

“This is crazy!  This is crazy!” I told my son one wintry morning a few years ago.  We were driving to meet up with some friends to go surfing.…the temperature outside was 38 degrees!  It was the January meeting of the Harvest Surf Fellowship, and I had agreed to lead the music and teach the Bible study.  In short, I HAD to go!

While I had to be there as a leader, I didn’t have to get into the water.  At least, that’s what I kept telling myself as we passed the gate at San Onofre State Beach.  The cold was almost unbearable, and the waves were pitifully small.  In the summers, Surf Fellowship can draw well over 100 people.  In the winter, only the hard-core crazies show up!  Seven of us huddled together and worshipped the Lord.  It was more for warmth than brotherhood.

Finally, I was done with the Bible study.  It was the moment of truth.  Was I going to be a surfer or not?  

Against all common sense, I stretched on my wetsuit, booties, and hood.  I unstrapped my 10’ board off the top of my car and headed out for (what turned out to be) my most fun day of surfing ever!  It took a little discipline to prepare my songs and Bible study.  It took a little discipline to wake up early.  It took a little discipline to drive to the beach and teach the lesson.  It took sheer courage to get into the water, but it was all worth it.

Paddling out on the ocean with my fellow Christian brothers and catching a few waves was awesome.  The pleasure was worth the discipline!  The Lord even cleared away the clouds to give us the warmth of the sun.  

Nobody likes spiritual discipline either, but we find joy in the end.  Reading your Bible every day may not seem like the most exciting way to grow your faith.  Some days, it may seem tedious or even torturous.  But give it time.  You are sowing the seeds of righteousness and readiness.  It takes a while for seeds to show any signs of growth, but you are growing.  We are depositing Scripture into the banks of our hearts and minds so that we can always be ready to give a reason for the hope within us. (1 Peter 3:15)

Keep reading and be patient.  Allow the seeds of God’s Word to take root and sprout shoots.  It won’t be long before you can enjoy the fruit of faithfulness.