Recently, my younger daughter looked at me and asked a thought-provoking question; “Daddy, how do you do it that you used to wake up early before we all wake up?” I wouldn’t know why she asked, but I perceived she must have observed a pattern with me. My response supplied her clarity and motivation; “It is discipline. I used to feel sleepy, too. But I have to discipline myself.”
Friend, there is the discipline of a disciple (1 Corinthians 9:27). Most times, we look at kingdom achievers and impact makers and wonder if they are supermen. Really, high achievers are ordinary men with extraordinary discipline and commitment. The difference between you and the person you admire is time and discipline (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Your discipline today is your distinction tomorrow. If you want to stand out in your generation, you must choose to be different (Daniel 1:8, 6:3). You must do things differently. You must use your time differently. You must have practices that are different. You must move from what is convenient to what is required (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23).
We are not just called to be Christians; we are called to be disciples (Luke 14:27). Sadly, we have many Christians but very few disciples. It takes discipline to be a disciple. This is why we are called soldiers and not civilians (2 Timothy 2:3). Soldiers live a regimented life. They don’t live based on convenience. They live as demanded. They are people under authority.
If you live anyhow, you will become just anything. To become something tangible in life, you must set out on the right routines that you follow daily (Mark 1:35). You must be disciplined. Most times, you will start a life-changing practice as a duty, and then you apply discipline before it becomes a delight. When you commit to a discipline, it becomes enjoyable with time. It is commitment before enjoyment.
How early do you wake up? How long do you sleep? The truth is, if you don’t manage your sleep, there is no guarantee you would achieve something tangible with your life. Some people have slept away their destiny (1 Kings 3:16-22). Some have crumbled their business due to excessive sleep. Some have ended their ministry because of too much sleep. You need to go to the ants and learn wisdom (Proverbs 6:6-11). Amen.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria