Thoughts for the Day

* Early papyrus Epistle to the Hebrews

You have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—

‘My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts.’

Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? ..... Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The car was coming somewhat fast down the road between cars parked on either side, as the child with school rucksack on her back, stepped out into the road to cross the street. For the moment it looked as though a dreadful accident was to happen, as brakes squealed and the child froze, then the girl was yanked back onto the pavement by her mother, and the moment was over. Well almost! The child was promptly gathered into a painful embrace by the mother before being just as firmly scolded for not looking before she crossed the road. The child was not disciplined as a punishment, but because her mother loved her so much and for a moment it looked as though she might lose her.

The writer of Hebrews says that God chastises us, not to punish us, but because he loves us. He wants to teach us. So when we suffer we should look at ourselves carefully. Is God reminding us to think about other people - those whom we have ignored all the years of our own good life? Or is it a way of toughening us up, so we stop thinking God owes us something because we're one of His children? Or is it to make us acknowledge our sin, especially those difficult ones that we often fail to acknowledge?

Whatever the reason, hold fast to the fact that God may be moulding you as one His children to become more like the image of Christ. Through discipline we can become better followers and our relationship with Him will gradually strengthen.

Heavenly Father,
You call us to be Your children,
and out of Your love for us
You chastise us occasionally.
Help us to see that this is not arbitrary
but may have a reason.
As a parent encourages their child
to learn and to grow to maturity,
so You wish to see us grow:
to think more of others,
to grow less selfish,
and to draw closer to Yourself.
Amen.