Spiritual Discipline and Sleep

" But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."Luke 5:16

If there is one thing I have never been good at it's self discipline.  I don't know if you share this trait with me, but I am way too easy on myself. I would much prefer to stay warm and cozy in my bed rather than get up into a cold house. I make excuses like...

" Really Lord, I could just lay here with my eyes closed in this bed and have some quiet time with you"

When I give in to this temptation it always results in more sleep... not prayer or bible reading. Then I berate myself for not having done what I know is so important to do. The flesh wins, the enemy wins, and I have not started my day submitted to the Lord.

Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline says "Superficiality is the curse of our age. The discipline of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem."

Boy is that ever evident! I am all too satisfied with a quick lesson, a quick prayer, and to claim grace over my inability to stay in prayer and explore the deep things of God. And yet, I have a deep Love for those deep things of God. Don't you? I hear the spirit within me call to them, beckon me to come and explore even deeper. There are days when "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" is the testimony of my life. But I will not be mastered by my flesh. I will not allow it to steal my joy, or my effectiveness for Christ.

So This week I have finally given in to the prompting of the spirit and have chosen to go to bed early and rise early so I can spend time alone in a quiet, dark, cold, house with my Lord. I am saying to my flesh and all it's desires for ease and comfort. "I am your master, you will not master me"..... I am on day two. Pray with me that I make it to day three!

What Spiritual discipline do you desire to master?

Blessings!