Luke 2

Every new year a lot of people will choose a word or phrase that they want to define their year. The goal is for that word to serve as a kind of banner over their life for that year. They might choose the word “joy” and make the commitment to choose joy even in the difficult circumstances they might endure. They might choose “peace” in an effort to not give in to anxiety or worry.

Maybe you have tried and found success with that kind of exercise. Honestly, I’m not really good at that kind of thinking. I get too caught up in the what-ifs and maybes to settle on one idea for a whole year.

However, I have found a great deal of personal growth through introspection and reflection. Instead of looking forward and claiming an idea, I like to look backward and identify a theme or truth that has defined my previous year or season. We can’t live in the past, but putting words to the seasons God has brought me through helps me to look forward to where He is taking me. Take a minute and give it a try if you have never spent time reflecting.

If I had to pick one word that has defined my life in the past season is would be the idea of discipline. I’m not saying I’m the most disciplined person in the world. I take far too many naps to be considered truly disciplined, I'm sure. There is a phrase that has guided a lot of my decisions lately. “Discipline begets discipline.” Being disciplined in one area, one habit, or one decision can spread to other areas and even other lives. For example, being disciplined in your morning routine and wake-up time can help you to be disciplined in the habit of scripture reading. One leads to the other.

In Luke 2, we read about Joseph and Mary’s discipline and what their commitment led to. “Now his parents (Joseph and Mary) went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he (Jesus) was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.” Luke 2:41-42.

For at least 12 years, Jesus’ earthly parents modeled obedience and faithfulness. Now in fairness, they had been told by an angel that they would be raising the Son of God. There were probably some built-in expectations there, but still, 12 years is a long time!

I don’t want you to miss what happens in the verses that follow. Pause and read Luke 2:43-52 if you haven’t yet. It was Joseph and Mary’s commitment and discipline to worship the God who put them and Jesus in the right place at the right time for Jesus’ public ministry to begin. Most people talk about Jesus’ ministry beginning around the age of 30. Officially, that is true, but His first public ministry moment happened right here in Luke 2 on the heels of his parent’s discipline. Just like one discipline can beget another, God will use your commitment to follow Him to lead you to unimaginable experiences.

Think about the possibilities of who else your commitment could impact. Your discipline to be a part of a local church, to be consistent in a House Church, or to lead your family in prayer could have profound implications on your children. Do you think starting your day seeking the peace of God in His Word could lead to a change in how you lead or interact with others at work? Start simple and use the tools in front of you, like this daily email, to build disciplines that could have a life-changing impact.

• What daily disciplines, habits, do you need to develop to follow Jesus more closely?

• Who else could your commitment impact?

Author: Kyle Warren