A Harvest Of Right Living

Our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening —it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:10-11

THE HONESTY of these verses is appealing. As “earthly” parents, we appreciate the writer’s description of us —we’re doing the best we know how to do in the area of disciplining our children. Clearly, however, the writer is drawing a contrast between our parenting and that of our heavenly Father. “God’s discipline is always good for us.” God is the perfect parent. His discipline is never too harsh or inappropriate. We do not always know how best to discipline our children. But God does. He always knows and does what is right.

His intention in disciplining us is that we might “share in his holiness.” God wants his children to bear the family resemblance. He wants us to live in a way that demonstrates we share the passions and priorities of our Father.

Of course, we also appreciate the writer’s honesty when he says that “no discipline is enjoyable while it is happening —it’s painful!” Obviously, discipline doesn’t feel good at the time. It feels like hardship and loss. As his children, we can endure it because we’re confident that it’s purposeful. God’s discipline is never punitive. Never random. Never too harsh. Always done out of love. God’s purpose is that “afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” When we are willing to be trained by his discipline —to be molded and shaped by it —something beautiful happens. Something blossoms in our lives —a peaceful harvest of right living.

Heavenly Father, I have not grown beyond my need for your loving discipline. In fact, it is amazing to me that you can use even the challenges of parenting to mold me. Parenting has a way of exposing my idols and bringing to the surface the areas in which there is a need for a harvest of right living. So keep loving me by disciplining me in the way that only you can.