More is the New Less

There’s one word that marks my life. It’s the word, “no.”

Trying to live the disciplined life is a constant struggle that primarily centers around denial. It’s the method taught to me for decades first from my parents, later from the pulpit, and then from family members mesmerized by the lure of legalism. The true mark of obedience, as the thinking goes, is to simply say “no.”

With any diet, you’ll find a whole list of no-nos.  Less transfats means cutting out the cheese, yellow blocks of love that call my name. And saying goodbye to big cuts of meat basted in buttery onions is a sad thing.Less fat, less sugar, less carbs – less fun.  Renunciation. Denial. Rejection.

My lifelong goal is limit the world’s influence on my life. Culture is often raw, ugly and counter to my beliefs. So, I’m cutting down on talk radio, avoiding prime time television, and staying away from trivial blogs and magazines. Less cussing. Less flesh. Less mindless chatter.

I’m trying to discipline my mind, running from the foolish pursuit of self. That means I must lay aside those silly games I play to justify every position. If it’s a desire, then it must be squashed. Less self. Less me.

This disciplined life is marked by don’ts, cant’s and shouldn’ts.

Despite what the world paints, living a disciplined life shouldn’t be marked by a whole list of things to avoid. That’s precisely the lie that legalism thrives on . It’s a relentless drain on my energy, and I rarely get my head above water. I’m constantly finding that there is another thing to limit or eliminate. There’s just no end.

Instead, the disciplined life should be turned on it’s head, focused on pursuing righteousness instead of renouncing unrighteousness.

What if I concentrated on the mores in my life?

More of the good gifts we have been given. 

Denying self, taking up the cross and following doesn’t mean that my whole focus must be on what I left behind. Instead, it’s about the life I’m gaining.

I discipline my body, so I can focus on the prize, the goal of eternity. 

I should continue to say no to those things that are destructive in my life. But my attitude should be different, because of all the new ways I’m learning to say “yes.”

It’s almost like more is the new less. What are the ways you are able to say “yes?”

Please, share with a friend if you feel moved.
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