This week’s passage from Hebrews speaks of “discipline.” The Greek work that is translated as discipline is “paideia,” which refers to the educational system in ancient Greece for the wealthiest and most promising children. The students in paideia were meant to be excellent, to become leaders of their society. If they slid into complacency or mediocrity, they were quickly and firmly corrected. The theory of “no pain, no gain,” reminds us that one cannot achieve success in life without personal discipline. To be excellent in sports or music or academics requires substantial discipline which is often physically, mentally, or emotionally painful. Discipline is part of life.
I was speaking recently with a newly commissioned Marine Second Lieutenant about his time in Marine Officer Candidate School where he was trained by a Marine Gunnery Sergeant. As he explained the grueling, painful process, I was reminded of a scene from An Officer and a Gentlemen in which the Gunnery Sergeant is pushing a Naval officer candidate to his limit. The painful discipline was either going to make the candidate a successful officer or it would cause him to drop from the program. The drill instructors knew the program. They didn’t do things randomly. Everything they did was intended to produce excellent officers.
This is also true in our Christian lives. If we want to achieve the great reward of eternal life, we need to submit ourselves to God’s discipline. In the letter to the Hebrews, we hear that, like a loving earthly father, or a drill instructor, our Heavenly Father must also “discipline” us from time to time so that we can achieve spiritual excellence. We also hear that, Jesus Christ, “although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” God treats us in exactly the same way. The right way to look at the challenges that come along our way as Christians is to see behind them the loving hand of God.
God is an affectionate, yet firm, father who raises children to be the best they can be. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by Him. For the Lord disciplines him whom He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” God knows the program. So, take heart! Don’t be discouraged!
Fr. Mike