19. The more comfortable my life is, the more spiritual disciplines I need.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

IF YOU LIVE IN THE US, YOU ARE PART OF A CULTURE THAT REPRESENTS EIGHT PERCENT OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION BUT HAS 30 PERCENT OF THE WORLDS’ WEALTH. HOW DO YOU THINK THIS AFFECTS YOU?

REFLECT ON ALL OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE OR HOME. IF NECESSARY, HOW MANY OF THOSE COULD YOU LIVE WITHOUT?

HOW DO YOU THINK THE FREEDOM, CONVENIENCES, AND COMFORTS YOU ENJOY AFFECT YOUR NEED FOR GOD?

For the first several centuries after the resurrection of Christ, Christians were persecuted and often martyred for their faith. Once Christianity became legalized and accepted as the religion of the Roman political system, Christians enjoyed peace and relief from persecution. It was at this time though, that some men and women chose to leave the comforts of their culture and move out into the desert. Their primary reason for this movement was their belief that the comforts and freedom to live and worship would weaken their faith and their formation into Christlikeness.

Out of this movement into the desert, the system of monasteries evolved. These were, and still are, places where Christians choose to live, giving up the freedom and comforts afforded to them by their culture, in order to more fully follow Jesus. The principle behind this belief is that a life of comfort makes it difficult to be a disciple of Jesus. The New Testament writers agree that the comforts of the world are a powerful force that is difficult if not impossible to resist. Without some intentional plan to resist the lure of earthly comfort, we will likely falter on our spiritual journey.

Not everyone may wish or be able to move to deserted places or join a monastery, but spiritual disciplines are available to anyone who wants to faithfully follow Jesus in their everyday life. Spiritual disciplines can help us resist the draw that our culture creates to lure us into a life of complacent, shallow, and lukewarm Christianity.

The more comforts and material blessings we possess, the greater influence these will have to move us away from a life fully devoted to Jesus. Perhaps more than ever, disciples of Jesus in today’s western culture, need spiritual disciplines.