Sound Doctrine

I never really thought about being physically disciplined in relationship to ones Christianity until I spoke with a pastor acquaintance. His success story is a direct result of choosing consistency and integrity in all he does. His transformation started in the pulpit.

After living with a variety of medical issues including obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, my new friend Nelson decided to start practicing what he preaches. The turning point, he admitted, came when he realized he may lose credibility if he continued to expect his congregation to follow God and do so with discipline and conviction when he was unable to commit to a physical discipline.

When I began thinking about a writing angle, I decided to start with an official definition of discipline. After looking it up using a variety of resources, I began to gain more clarity about the parallel between discipline and discipleship.

According to Webster’s, a disciple is “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another,” just like Nelson. Week after week his sermons, much like any Christian preacher, was to instill a belief in his members to follow God with purposeful practices.

Nelson, who may have found this obedience to God to be natural, was not practicing the same behaviors that would bring him better health and longevity. He could stand easily in the pulpit but couldn’t fit in a booth at Waffle House.

Nelson did not subscribe to magic—he prescribed to a new discipline. He made a choice to exercise self-control by eating less and exercising more, and the pounds began to melt away. But, even better than the weight loss—he was walking the talk.

Nelson has proven to not only be a faithful disciple, he is now following a healthy eating plan, exercise regimen and even modified his financial behaviors that better reflect his beliefs.

After losing more than 130 pounds, he no longer takes medications for blood pressure or diabetes and can sit down at a booth at the Waffle House—although I doubt he orders the same thing. He feels better and seems to have a renewed belief in himself.

Thank you for sharing your story, Nelson, and for inspiring others to follow their heart and do what is right.