Day 54 – The difference between discipline and passion…
The one-year training I did in Ohio after graduating from ECU, was very demanding and through. It involved the complete Body, Soul, and Spirit of the individual. After that year, I continued my routines of exercise, study, developing my skills as I moved into my assignment in Long Island, NY.
As long as I can remember, I have been a morning person rather than a night owl. The more I practiced getting up early, the better I liked my quiet, before-the-world-wakes-up, time. Over the years some have mistakenly observed it as disciple and it may look like that from the outside, but the truth is I’m not a very disciplined person, just ask those close to me. What I am is passionate.
It’s passion that drives me, supercharges me, and calls to me. Now that can be great or not so great. I can usually maintain that passion but there are times that I get burn out and have to regroup.
When I lived alone in Long Island that first year, I never slept in. No one would have known or cared for that matter, but to me if the sun is up, the day started without me, and I am already behind. The quietness of a dark still morning is perfect for me. I can connect with God, envision my day, make my plans, and get going.
If I ever feel tired in the morning but can’t go back to sleep, I start to think about all the books downstairs waiting for me. Books by so many writers from Dante, to Marcus Aurelius, to Steinbeck, to Orison Swett Marden…all the knowledge just waiting for me to open the pages and let them speak to me.
Years ago, I read “George Muller of Bristol” by Arthur Pierson. (There are a few books about George Muller, but get this one by Pierson, is the best.) In that book I read a section that really spoke to me. He says…
“How many obstacles one finds in securing an introduction to the great and good of this world, and even then, in getting access to them, in securing an audience with the kings and queens of human society! Yet there is open to us a society of people of the very first rank who will meet us and converse with us so long as we like, whatever our ignorance, poverty, or low estate—namely, the society of authors; and the key that unlocks their private audience-chamber is their books.
This is beautifully true; but how few, even among believers, appreciate the privilege of access to the great Author of the universe through His Word? Rich and poor, high and low, ignorant and learned, young and old, all alike are welcomed to the audience-chamber of the King of kings. The ultimate knowledge of God is possible on one condition—that we search His Holy Scriptures, prayerfully and habitually, and translate what we there find, into obedience.”
“He who would keep up intimate converse with the Lord must habitually find in the Scriptures the highway of such companionship. God’s aristocracy, His nobility, the princes of His realm, are not the wise, mighty, and high-born of earth, but often the poor, weak, despised of men, who abide in His presence and devoutly commune with Him through His inspired word.
Blessed are they who have thus learned to use the key which gives free access, not only to the King’s Treasuries, but to the King Himself!”
As I lie in bed sometimes, especially in the winter, where it’s warm and cozy, next to someone I adore, the thought of getting up is hard. But then I think about the quote above and realize I have authors of the greatest assortment waiting to talk to me AND I have God Himself, waiting to share the morning with me, so PASSION gets me up and I am on my way into the day.
Each of us must find what works for us and what makes us tick. As I have said, for me it’s passion, so that’s my go to place. It could be something else for you and that’s wonderful. Life is about discovery and a lot of that discovery is finding out what makes US tick.
Enjoy your day and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
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