Discipline and Devotion
Read your Bible anyway. Pray anyway. Don’t let the weight of the world or the urgency of today pull you away from the presence of God.
“How does a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” – Psalm 119:9
There are many days when I aim to be extremely disciplined—in my work, academics, creative endeavors, and even family relationships. I set my schedule. My productivity flows through me. I feel like a productive wizard.
Yet, that discipline can sometimes feel empty. I found myself puzzled until I realized: my discipline wasn’t flowing from devotion. I was trying to get through the day in my own strength—and then, like Popeye with spinach, crack open a can of Scripture at the end of the day.
We’ve all had those days. You plan to pray and read your Bible early, but then something happens. Your baby wakes you up at 4 A.M. Your boss calls you into an 8:30 A.M. meeting. You’ve got priorities piling up, and you know you need a good head start.
Just this morning, I wanted to read my Bible and work out before heading to the office. But my baby woke me up, so I had to take care of her. I opened my devotional, but my eyes were so tired I couldn’t focus. By the time I was fully awake, it was time to leave for work—and the day swept me away in its busyness.
We think, “If I can just get through this, then I’ll be okay.”
But it doesn’t work that way.
The effectiveness of our productivity as Christians doesn’t simply come down to discipline—it flows from devotion.
The Psalmist asks, “How does a young man keep his way pure?” How does he stay on track? How does he do what he knows he needs to do?
He answers, “By guarding it according to your word.”
He doesn’t say, “By having a detailed schedule,” or “By outsourcing the things I don’t want to do,” or even “By getting away alone.” He looks to the grace of God’s Word—guarding our hearts and minds, keeping us walking toward and focused on who matters most: Jesus Christ.
Devotion and discipline work hand-in-hand when it comes to abiding in Christ. There are days when we feel our cups are full—when we’re fully devoted to God and excited to serve Him. On those days, our devotion fuels our discipline.
But there are also days when our discipline fuels our devotion. And I’m not just talking about being productive. I mean the days when you don’t want to read your Bible, don’t want to pray, and don’t even want to be near another person. That’s why I emphasize the discipline of spiritual disciplines. They are first and foremost spiritual—related to God. But they are also disciplines. Discipline keeps us grounded and guards us from letting the urgency of the day dictate our direction.
There have been many times when I’ve opened my Bible with no desire to read it. But I did it anyway. It’s not always immediate, but I know this small act of discipline makes a deposit into my devotion. The Holy Spirit brings to remembrance what Jesus has taught—but if I don’t know God’s Word, then the Spirit has nothing to bring to mind.
Spiritual success is not about checking boxes or finishing every task on your list. It’s about glorifying God—by enjoying Him, making disciples, and savoring His good gifts in their proper place.
Friends, let your discipline and devotion work in tandem. Our devotion can remain pure through our discipline to Him. And that same devotion should also be the very thing that fuels our discipline in the first place. Our devotion to God enables us to glorify Him in all we do, as we “excel in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Excelling in the work of the Lord is not reserved for pastors—it’s for anyone made in God’s image, living on this earth. Whether you're at a pulpit or a desk, the goal is the same: glorify God. Your job isn’t just a box to check before you can get to the “spiritual stuff.” It is the stuff. We need our devotion to fuel our discipline in every area of life.
If you feel like you’re running on empty—or if someone has told you that you look tired—recognize that you can’t afford to neglect the great gift you’ve been given. We have God’s Word, living and active, and in Christ, we have the Holy Spirit—our Helper.
Read your Bible anyway. Pray anyway. Don’t let the weight of the world or the urgency of today pull you away from the presence of God.
Devotion fuels discipline. Discipline fuels devotion.