"If we approach them incorrectly, the spiritual disciplines meant to bring life may become laws that lead to death. Legalism has a nasty way of creeping in and turning the means of these practices into ends in themselves.

How do we avoid that danger?

1) Constantly remember the purpose of the spiritual disciplines. Recall Foster's image of the path: "the path does not produce change; it only places us where the change can occur."
2) Listen to Jesus. Ask God to point out where you have begun to pursue the disciplines rather than Him, and He will make it known to you. The Holy Spirit, as Jesus said, will guide us in all truth.
3) Remember that change is God's work, not yours. Again, Foster's words are helpful: The spiritual disciplines are, "a means of receiving God's grace. …[They] allow us to place ourselves before God so he can transform us."

In the 1990's, Gatorade ran a long series of commercials that sang the jingle, "I want to be like Mike" (referring to the basketball superstar, Michael Jordan). The student of Jesus Christ must have his or her own jingle, "I want to be like Jesus." In essence, that is what spiritual disciplines are all about.

As an apprentice of the Master, you watch his methods, and put them into practice. You listen to his teaching, and apply it in your everyday life. As Dallas Willard puts it, the spiritual disciplines are "simply a matter of following [Jesus] into his own practices, appropriately modified to suit our own condition."

I invite you to the truly wonderful experience of throwing out life-as-usual and taking up new paths where God can change our lives from the inside out." The Reading Room @ water's edge

My tendency, Lord, is to want to just take off, to outline a plan and get to it. But then I'm losing sight of the purpose for doing - to follow You, to have relationship with You, to put myself in a posture to love and obey You. Currently, I am pursuing the disciplines rather than You. I want to pursue You, Lord. I want to just get myself to a place where You can work on me more efficiently. This is a lifelong pursuit and it can only help me to as fully understand the journey I'm about to begin as You would reveal to me. I need a little provision in my knapsack - maybe a map to local territory, a crust of bread, a vision and hope for the destination. As I travel, You will continue to provide provisions, insight, and inspiration. But I feel You pulling back the reigns a little now and teaching me to wait on You.

"Silence and solitude combined with attention to the presence of God; these are the starting point for all other practices. They place us where we may listen to hear God's perspective on our world, our circumstances, our goals, and our relationships." Silence and Solitude

Lord, thank You for the silence of early morning, the white noise of a rainstorm, the loneliness of the darkness. Thank You for Your presence: however intangible it is, I believe You were there. I look forward to the work that You do in me to make Yourself and Your life more of a reality to me as You guide me through the disciplines. Thank You for what You are already doing, and in advance for what I know will be a remarkable road. Help solidify my motivations for practicing a more godly lifestyle - motivations that are driven by Your Spirit to bring honor and glory to You alone. I praise You now with a grateful heart. Sustain me through whatever trials await my day - I need You...