1 Peter 1:13-16

1 Peter 1:13-16
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

 Discipline is tough.
  I just finished reading Living with a Seal, a story about a man who hired a Navy Seal to come live with him for a month and help him train.  The Seal's discipline was intense -- he led the author into more physical activity in a month than most of us get in a year.  They ran 9 to 10 miles everyday.  In New York.  In December.  There was a day that included 1,000 pushups. It didn't matter how badly they felt -- they stayed committed, because of the Seal's drive.  Turns out the Seal hates to run -- but he does it anyway.
  What are you committed to?  If you're committed to fitness, you'll likely give up some free time to work out.  If you're committed to a sports team, I'm willing to bet you would sacrifice a lot to make sure you never miss a game.  For the biggest relationships in your life, you probably give up time to strengthen them.
  What about faith?  Are you disciplined enough to make the sacrifices necessary to build and sustain your relationship with God?  What do you give up to make sure you fit in time with the Lord?  Does your sense of gratitude for what God has done keep you focused on serving God?
  It's easy to move toward indifference toward God.  We can't see God, and he often isn't making himself obvious.  Other things seem more pressing, and if we're not disciplined, that relationship can slide.  Avoid letting your desires drive you -- be motivated by a deep love and gratitude for all that God has done.