Alistair Begg is a pastor in Ohio. I enjoy his communication style both verbal and written. He wrote in his book, Truth for Life, “Short-term commitment is not too hard. It is disciplined consistency that comes harder to us.” Yet it is only in disciplined commitment we discover genuine long term growth.
Most anyone can do something a few times. People can do a great deal in favorable conditions. It is when the plodding sets in people wane.
New Year’s resolutions are the fodder for short-term commitment. People set their designs on some big goals. Whether exercise, diet, spiritual growth, or…fill in the blank. It is kept up for a short time. And most, not all, wane in their well intentioned intentions.
Disciplined commitment is making the decision for the long haul. Disciplined commitment resists stopping. Disciplined commitment continues in the drudgery. Disciplined commitment walks the path in the denseness of the forest. Disciplined commitment is not motivated by the applause of others, but the affirmation of self-determination.
Discipline + consistency + time = growth. This is the formula for disciplined commitment. Growth is hard work. You have to want to grow. Growth is not automatic. It never is the result of some form of osmosis.
I enjoy writing. I have written several books, and a few magazine articles. I write this blog post (Rock in the Pond) twice each week. Most of the time it is a delight. I have found that the delight is the result of my discipline to write. I keep a statement close to my writing desk. It says, “We don’t write because we feel like it. We feel like it because we write.” Writing is a disciplined commitment for me.
My neighbor Jon and I were the only two in our community fitness center. Jon had arrived earlier, and he completed his work out just after I arrived. On his way out he said, “Enjoy the rest of your work out.”
I replied, “I only enjoy my workout when I’m done.” And with a wave of his hand, as he left, he said, “That’s why we do it.”
He was right on. We continue in our disciplined commitment to gain the results it brings.