Photo by greg westfall

By Wendy Choy-Chan

When we think of discipline, an image often comes up of an athlete training day after day for a sport. What we put in is what we get — the more time, the more workout, and the more practice, the better the results and the stronger the athlete. Thus, when we speak of spiritual discipline, we naturally think of devoting more time to do more praying, more Bible reading and studying, more serving, more spiritual endeavors, so that we can become more spiritual and more connected with God. This is the modern mentality — do more to get more, be proactive and be in control of our own growth; but is this spiritual discipline, or is this all there is to spiritual discipline?

The Bible says to be transformed by the renewing of your minds (Ro 12:2). Who does the transforming?

I went to seminary because I love to study the word of God. I marveled at the wisdom of God, His love for His people, and His master planning in and of history. I worked hard on my assignments, projects and papers, being intellectually challenged and enriched, class after class. But intellectual growth does not necessarily lead to spiritual growth. The spiritual transformation came during the times when I paused in between schoolwork for a breather. It is not just a pause from working, but quieting myself down, and letting God take over my mind and heart. He is the breath of life, and I simply breathe in His breath. This is spiritual discipline — to give myself totally to God, and to respond in the quietness of my breathing to His working in me.

Seminary was tough, and so is life — often requiring us to run faster and jump higher. But without the spiritual discipline in between to receive and enjoy the breath of life, the running and jumping will only produce a very fatigued and probably frustrated athlete/life. The resting, the breather, allows the athlete to keep going, and to provide sustenance and purpose. And the best part is that the breath of God is refreshing and inviting — it does not require much effort to breathe in. Unfortunately, this ease of effort also becomes the biggest obstacle, as the modern mentality shouts at us to work, do more, multitask… A breather is no longer just breathing, but “breathing +,” ie. breathing + facebook, breathing + cleaning up the email inbox, or breathing + a quick bite before the next task. Now, it takes an extra ounce of willingness and awareness to take a real breather, thus a spiritual discipline. Yet, it is not impossible.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2). The modern mind would jump onto the “living” part of ”living sacrifice,” interpreting it as doing, serving, working. True, but it is important to also consider that a sacrifice is one that is lying on the altar, in stillness and quietness. So a living sacrifice can also be one who is simply breathing (hence living) and being transformed by God’s breath.

Have you taken a breather in between your running and jumping today?

Wendy Choy-Chan came to North America from Hong Kong when she was 15.  After graduating with a MScE, she worked as a telecommunications engineer for a few years before becoming a full-time mom.  She earned her MA in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in 2016, with an emphasis in biblical studies. Despite living in the coffee capital (Seattle), Wendy enjoys scouting out tea shops with her husband and two daughters.