“Embracing Who You Were Created to Be”
Dear writer, I hope you had an excellent week and began cultivating your courage to grow into all the Lord has planned for you! This week, we’re going to take a step deeper by and look at developing the disciplines that help us embrace the fullness of our identity in Him. Because here’s the thing…
Our lives are a product of our habits, and when our habits begin to reflect who He made us to be, we begin to see ourselves in a whole new light and begin moving more and more easily in our true identity in everyday life.
But, before we dive in, let’s take a look at others who embraced the disciplines that grew them into the people God created them to be.
Developing Discipline in History
Marie Curie is an excellent example of a woman who embraced disciplines that opened doors for her success. Though Marie was not allowed to attend university to pursue her interests in science as a young Polish girl, she tenaciously chased down her dreams, attending a secret “Floating School” and agreeing to financially support her sister Bronya’s studies in Paris in exchange for similar help two years later. During the five years it took for Marie to actually move to France, she worked diligently at her studies and at saving money for her schooling and Bronya’s.
When she finally reached Paris, Marie applied the same dove into to her new education opportunities, often skipping meals to save on expenses, so that she could focus fully on her studies. And as she met and married her husband, a fellow chemist, she quickly began discovering and exploring the properties of radioactivity, radium, and polonium. When World War I broke out, Marie turned her disciplined attention to the battle lines, where her radium syringes sterilized soldiers’ wounds and saved the lives of thousands.
Here’s the thing, writer. When we begin to embrace the disciplines we need to step into our identity, we are positioned not just for personal success, but to become a blessing to others in countless other areas of life.
Developing Discipline in the Bible
The prophet Samuel is another great example of a man who embraced a life of discipline. When the Lord first spoke to Samuel as a young boy, Samuel faithfully delivered the Lord’s alarming message of judgment to Eli, though Eli was a man of great position and authority. As Samuel continued handle the word of the Lord with discipline and faithfulness, God increased his influence and enabled him to anoint Israel’s first two kings as he shepherded the nation0 through the tumultuous transition from the rule of the judges to the reign of King Saul and eventually of King David.
You see, writer, sometimes developing discipline begins—like Samuel—with baby steps. By being faithful with the small things the Lord has already given us.
Developing Discipline in Life
I leaned into developing discipline recently as Jared and I began to set standards of excellence for our lives. You see, as we’ve grown, the Lord has blessed and filled our lives with amazing work and relationships. But as I’ve learned to juggle our growing responsibilities, I noticed that little things like keeping the kitchen clean or answering communications or getting regular exercise were beginning to slip. Based on who God created us to be—Jared and I determined we would have certain nonnegotiables for our lives. Things like daily Bible Study and prayer. Or cleaning the kitchen before going to bed. Or taking time every day to answer communications.
Those disciplines have not only paved the way for increased productivity, they have also enabled us to be available and responsive to the Lord by positioning us to see that email with a spur of the moment invitation. Or to have our car clean and ready when someone unexpectedly needed a ride. Or to have extra money set aside when we see a special need or opportunity.
Developing Discipline in Your Life
Here’s the thing, writer. Developing disciplines in our lives is just as much about preparation as it is about identity. You see, sometimes God is waiting to promote us because He sees we aren’t prepared to handle that promotion. One of the best ways to honor the Lord’s gifts is by developing habit and skills that allow us to use that gift in greater ways. Let me prove it to you…
- God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. – Hebrews 6:10-12
- The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. – Proverbs 12:24
- “But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” – 2 Chronicles 15:7
- “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. – Luke 16:10
- He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. – Matthew 13:11-12
You see, writer, sometimes the best response to receiving a gift from God is simply to open it, use it, and develop it to best of our ability. Because here’s the thing. Like any parent, God is most delighted when we fully embrace His good gifts.
Where to Start with Developing Discipline
So are you ready to take a look at developing discipline in your life? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Write the Vision. Write down the Lord’s call to you as a writer. Ask Him for clarity if you need it and spend some time dreaming and describing what your life would look like as the successful writer He’s called you to be. What will you write? When and where? What will you publish and how? Who will you reach and in what ways? Write these ideas down and review and pray over them regularly. This is the first best step toward developing discipline in your life, because when life gets difficult, a strong vision will help keep you committed to the disciplines needed to reach your God-given dream.
- Identify Obstacles. Once you have written your vision, identify what obstacles are currently keeping you from moving forward with that vision. Each of these obstacles is an opportunity to grow and develop skills and habits and mindsets that will prepare you for success.
- Barnstorm Solutions. Ask the Lord for wisdom as you begin creatively brainstorming ways to overcome those obstacles. What goals might you set? What changes might you make? What new habits might you begin? This list will become an invaluable resource as you begin to develop the disciplines that lead to growth.
- Set Some Goals. Once you’ve made your list of goals, choose the top three solutions that would have the biggest impact on your life and writing. Then determine the first small step you can take, set a deadline, and start moving forward.
- Review. Review your goals daily. Ask your prayer partners to pray for you and keep them updated as you progress. When you reach your deadline—whether you hit it or missed it—take time to review what worked and what didn’t. Make adjustments and try again. Because here’s the thing…
Learning to develop the discipline we need to succeed as a writer is really about learning to grow into our purpose…on purpose. It’s about learning to fully embrace who we are and apply the knowledge we’ve been given. Because here’s the thing, writer…
If you notice, Marie Curie could have listened to the voices that said she had no place pursuing science. Samuel could have been intimidated by Eli’s position as High Priest or by the authority of the kings he brought correction to. I could have decided the level of chaos I was currently experiencing was “normal” or to be “expected.” But here’s the thing…
Growing in discipline is really about believing what the Lord has said about you and acting on it, trusting that, with His wisdom and help, you can be everything He said you could be. And here’s the beautiful thing…
When we allow ourselves to become fully alive in His identity for us, that life spills over and multiplies into the lives of others. Just like Marie’s disciplined study and thriftiness not only changed the face of science but saved thousands of lives. Just like Samuel’s disciplined representation of God’s word helped usher in God’s chosen king and ultimately pave the way for the birth of Christ. Just like my discipline preparation positioned me to be ready for those unexpected moments where the Lord wanted to move in another’s life.
So I encourage you today, writer, to lean into who God has made you to be and to trust him to guide you as you begin to develop the disciplines and habits that will grow you into the full life He’s called you to. As you do, you will find that your very life and work will become worship, and you will begin to experience His fullness as His rivers of living water begin to flow freely through you to others, too.
#life #discipline #identity #EveryWriterWriting
