Dreariness of Disciplines

Doesn't it seem like any discussion of spiritual disciplines immediately turns people, especially Christians, away? Maybe it's the word "discipline" that bothers people. If it sounds like work, we're generally not interested. Or maybe it's the evangelical/protestant theological heritage that says that we are saved by grace alone and spiritual disciplines sound an awful lot like works. Of maybe it's a product of living in our American culture where productivity and immediate gratification are important and the disciplines don't seem to accomplish anything.

Celibacy, fasting, penance, mortification, self-denial, humility, silence, solitude, and the whole train of monkish virtues: - for what reason are they everywhere rejected by men of sense, but because they serve no manner of purpose...A gloomy, hair-brained enthusiast, after his death, may have a place in the Calendar; but will scarcely ever be admitted, when alive, into intimacy and society, except by those who are as delirious and dismal as himself.
David Hume, 18th century Scottish philosopher
from "Enquiry Into Morals"

I think that the only difference between Hume's view and our own is that we might have a slightly more positive view of the disciplines. However, we would certainly see them as unnecessary extras to the Christian life...the things that Super-Christians do but are not needed or relevant to normal Christians who have so many more important things to be spending our time and energy doing.

So why do them? Why practice these disciplines of the deeper life in Christ? It's not to earn God's favor, to make him like us a little better. It's not to make us look more spiritual in the eyes of others. It's not to gain forgiveness for things we've done wrong. I think, and this is unverified speculation...I think that the disciplines are to help us know Jesus. We talk about how we are supposed to know God and to experience abundant life, whatever that means...but I don't think that any of that is possible without taking time to stop, turn off our racing minds, clear out all of the stuff that is bothering us and the things we need to do next, and learn to listen. What if Jesus had something important to say, something that would dramatically change what today looks like, but because I didn't stop and listen, I missed it. Whether it's opportunities to bless others, blessings for myself, missions to accomplish for him, there's no way to know without being able to listen to his voice and respond. My hope is that as I practice some of these disciplines of silence, prayer, etc. that I will experience a newfound depth in my relationship with Jesus that enables me to move with confidence and power in the world that he has placed me.