The Disciplined Journey

"Artists hunger for creativity the way spiritual pilgrims hunger for God. This yearning arises from the same source for both the artist and the pilgrim. It is the Divine Lover at work within the soul, drawing the pilgrim and the artist into deeper intimacy. Satisfying this longing pulls us into a journey on a road paved with discipline." Excerpt from Creativity and Divine Surprise by Karla M. Kincannon

So many things in life require discipline. Keeping to your family budget requires it. Staying on a fitness program requires it. Tending a vegetable, herb or flower garden requires discipline too. If we slack off in these areas we will overspend, get terribly out of shape and have ugly gardens.

Notice the words used above: Keeping, Staying, Tending. They sound like work, right? Never ending, constantly ongoing, even keeled effort. We know discipline requires effort. Which is why so many of us are, well... undisciplined. (okay, I'll speak for myself only.)

Michael Phelps is a disciplined athlete. He didn't jump in the pool for the first time this month and win 8 gold medals. No - he's given a lot of effort and practiced disciplined training in order to be an amazing athlete. Same with Mozart, Picasso, Ansel Adams, and William Blake - each proved to be very disciplined, probably even when they wanted to veg-out instead of writing music, painting, snapping black and white images or writing literature. Discipline takes time to develop. Just like the red hot pepper at the top of this post - it took time to grow from seed to plant to flower bud to green pepper then to ripen to bright red and delicious. And as the gardener - I had to be disciplined and care for the growing process.

You've heard the term, "spiritual disciplines." It doesn't mean you are punished spiritually. It means to grow spiritually, it requires some discipline...and there are unique spiritual disciplines that, if you put in the effort, you can deepen your relationship with Jesus. Like all relationships, to be rich, there must be disciplined effort on our behalf.

Developing our creativity requires discipline too. I've always dreamed about creating beautiful painted works of art, I see it all in my head. A studio with sunny south facing windows, hardwood floors, paint cans, brushes and canvas all over the place. I see the colorful paintings I'd create and see where they'd hang in my house or friends' houses. However, without discipline (effort) that dream will forever be locked away in my mind and I will never uncover the artist I could be.

I admit, I am not the most disciplined person I know. In fact, I really stink at it. I long to be better, and I am giving it effort. I could be more disciplined with my spiritual life. And painting makes me feel closer to God b/c I feel the desire I have for creating is from Him. When I finally sit before the canvas, in deep prayer asking Jesus to guide my color choices and guide my hand, I feel Him work through me...together, we co-create a piece of work. I depend on His Divine guidance, constantly in prayer, and always laughing at myself. It's such a wonderful experience to create through prayer. As I give effort to develop my creativity, I develop my relationship with God ~ and vice versa. When I spend time in centering prayer or silence & solitude with God, He spurs my creativity. They go hand in hand.

Are you well disciplined? Or do you need a little push from time to time? Are you willing to become disciplined in your spiritual life and to develop your creativity? Remember, they go hand in hand.

What creative longing do you have brewing in your soul? Could it be an invitation from God to deepen your relationship with Him through a very unique way? How is He calling you to be more disciplined?
Hum...spend some time praying and meditating about that...

grace & peace on the disciplined journey ~ deAnn