Reflection: The discipline of faith
As we go through life, we learn many things along the way, but this is not what this verse from Proverbs is talking about. To ‘apply’ is a conscious decision. For the Hebrew reader, they understood ‘heart’ to refer to the centre of moral, emotional and thinking activities. It was also the place of desire, decision-making and discernment.
The second part of our verse refers to ears. To hear in Hebrew is to obey and take action, again, a conscious action.
We can help the children in our lives to develop habits of listening to and applying God’s word as it relates to what we are to do and what we are not to do. They will learn something of spiritual discipline through our modelling and instruction. As we articulate what God has been challenging us with, teaching us and reminding us of, we are helping the children in our lives to learn from us. As we help the children interact with the Scriptures, we can help them articulate what God is teaching them.
In order to learn, our heart and ears need to be open to being taught, encouraged and corrected. Let’s consider how this attitude of openness may be communicated to the children in our midst, so they see the connection between attitude, action and the application of the words of Scripture to our daily lives.
What are your daily practices that help you grow in Christian maturity? Do the children in your life know about these practices and why you engage in them?
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank you that you lovingly and patiently teach us as your children, helping us to grow up in the faith through various spiritual disciplines and commitments to your word. Help us to be effective role models to those whose lives we wish to influence. Amen.