Richard Foster is a theologian who has amassed a tremendous recognition for his exemplary works including his book, “Celebration of Discipline.” The book looks into inward and outwards disciplines that Christians should uphold for them to grow spiritually. In essence, Foster’s work targets the Christian audience all over the world. There are 12 diverse disciplines delineated by Foster in his book: meditation, fasting, study, simplicity, prayer, solitude, service, submission, confession, worship, guidance and celebration. These disciplines can be broadly categorized into three: inward disciplines, outward disciplines, and corporate disciplines. Inward disciplines are internal in that they portray the personal spiritual experience of an individual. Outside disciplines, on the other hand, entail external dimensions of spirituality, which also relate to the internal conviction that one holds. Conversely, corporate disciplines relate to the behavior that one is expected to show to others. This paper will elucidate eight of the 12 spiritual disciplines as well as give a reflection on my encounter with each one of them.
Meditation
This discipline is described as one of the most important inward disciplines of spirituality. Richard argues that meditation determines the capability of an individual to listen and contemplate God’s voice. As such, the discipline requires an absolute reverence for God in order to create an intimacy with him. Meditation requires a peaceful mind, and, therefore, should be done when one is not engaged in work or other tasks. The best times to practice meditation is immediately after waking up or right before one goes to sleep. Foster has made significant attempts to differentiate meditation from other Eastern perceptions such as Yoga.
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Mediation has greatly influenced my relationship with God in that it has drawn me closer to Him. However, my viewpoint of mediation was misguided before. I used to understand the discipline as emptying one’s mind, which is actually the exact opposite of the idea. As Foster puts it, meditation entails filling one’s mind with God’s knowledge.
Fasting
Fasting practice as a discipline is evidently misunderstood and many people have not yet elucidated the essence of fasting. Foster aligns his concept of fasting to the teaching about the same in the book of Mathew. Fasting is inseparable from a sacrifice in that one must forego the usual comfort in order to engage oneself in an intense spiritual activity. Furthermore, one must uphold privacy when fasting as Jesus taught. Foster argues that one must first seek humility before fasting.
My major concern about fasting has always been how often one must keep off food. Also, I’ve had a challenge of getting carried away from normal activities when fasting and forgetting to keep prayers in mind. As I found out, fasting inseparable from prayers.
Prayer
The channels through which human beings communicate with God is what brings the concept of prayer into existence. Prayers are quite peculiar as compared to other inward disciplines as they vary from one individual to another. Foster opines that prayers need necessarily not to be formal. Further, he points out that prayer is the transformation tool that God uses to change us. Therefore, the willingness to change is inherent to the very effectiveness of a prayer. Additionally, Foster argues that the purpose of prayers has been misconceived as a mere request for miracles and things in life. However, he opines that the world is not quite as closed as it is usually believed.
Personally, praying has been the most complicated of all the inward disciplines of spirituality in my past. The complication arose when I thought that praying should encompass a certain flow of words or a manner in which I should address my needs to God. As I later came to understand, prayer is basically communicating to God.
Study
The essence of studying is, chiefly, adding knowledge. Studying is not only a personal obligation in the day-to-day life of an individual but also a biblical requirement (Deuteronomy 11:18). The study encompasses a continuous quest for a knowledge of a concept hence done repetitively. Foster suggests that studying should be context-oriented in order to have an in-depth understanding of the truth being sought.
I’m fond of reading the Bible and that has enabled me to know what is expected of me as a follower of Jesus. However, I always thought that studying the Bible would make better in respect to spirituality. However, as Foster argues, an effective study includes a reflection so as to enable one to see the significance of what they are studying. Studying alone is not an effective criterion for determining how one is devoted to God. Therefore, spirituality delves much into self-realization when one comes across knowledge.
Submission
The discipline of submission has for far too long been mistaken for bondage and slavery. Contrariwise, submission is the freedom in which the desire to give up one’s rights and benefits for the betterment of others are fueled. Foster correlates submission to self-denial, which is essentially understanding that one’s happiness is not entirely dependent on the outcome of events. Jesus portrayed submission through his enduring desire for subordination. As he taught, those who are low shall be exalted while the high shall make low. Nonetheless, Foster argues that submission is limited to destruction.
The reality of submission to me is not quite as easy as it is taught. Submission, especially for those who are fond of arrogance, can prove to be very difficult. In my endeavors, I have realized that the concept of submission is too complex hence the evident misinterpretation. Submission is misunderstood as giving away one’s dignity and self-worth. My first attitude towards submission was critical and negative.
Service
Service is closely attributed to submission as it involves getting down to the very core of offering one’s services to others. This form of outward disciplines goes hand in hand with virtues such as humility and generosity. Foster cites Jesus as the core institutor of the discipline of service. Jesus completely redefined service by bringing a rather contradicting concept of serving others. Accordingly, to serve in spirit goes against the lines of authority, whereby those who lead serve their subjects.
I have been able to apply his discipline in various occasions such charity. However, the complete reversal of the position of those who serve is intriguing to me. The new will definitely increase my passion for serving others, especially those who are less fortunate or in a lower rank or position than me.
Confession
Foster argues that Jesus’ work on the cross marked the possibility of the forgiveness of sins upon confession. The discipline of confession is, therefore, very crucial when understanding salvation. Confession is one of the two corporate disciplines and focuses on giving hope for the forgiveness of sins. However, Christians are fond of misconceiving the church as a communion of saints rather than of sinners. Foster finds that confession is inherent with compassion, and Christians seeking the forgiveness of sins should be willing to forgive others. In addition, confession must be accompanied by the utmost honesty.
Confession has been a puzzle to me, especially in regards to honesty. Confessing would mean withholding nothing in one’s heart.
Worship
The discipline of worship is also a corporate discipline and it entails approaching God with holy expectancy. Foster finds that a worship experience strengthens the bond between one and God. Worship requires a preparation and should be done when the heart is ready too. Christ is the source of worship and gathers Christians for worships. He acts as a mediator between Christians and God by guiding them on how to conduct worships.
Worship has challenged me to understand the essence of fellowship. My main driver of worshipping God is knowing the fact that no one can worship God on my behalf. I tend to see this as the main disparity between prayer and worship.
Conclusion
Richard Foster’s disciplines are comprehensive and show the relationship between the conduct of Christians and their spirituality. The concept of spirituality is broad and cuts across various forms of expected behavior by Christians. The disciplines revolve around the sole purpose of becoming a Christian and the right manner of enhancing one’s spirituality. Inward disciplines examine the inter-personal virtues that enable one to magnify one’s spirituality. Outward disciplines help one understand the external behavior of an individual that is likely to yield spirituality. Corporate disciplines regulate the interactions between and amongst Christians with regard to upholding spirituality.
