Discipline

From Cornelius Plantinga's Not the Way It's Supposed to Be:

Just as in sports and music, discipline in spiritual hygiene has a point. Anybody can play, but only a disciplined person can play freely. Discipline is the basis and presupposition of both freedom and power. (36)

I despise discipline because I'm lazy. Discipline feels suffocating and doesn't show immediate fruit. How is painful ritual an expression of freedom in Christ, I reason. Short-sighted, I ignore Plantinga's point: Freedom without control is spasmatic and not enjoyable or beautiful, like me trying a layup or a Chopin etude sight-unseen. In sports and music, I am not a natural. Neither am I a natural at spirituality. Disciplined effort is required if I am to experience true Christian freedom.

Remind me of that next time I use grace for license.