I have a book beside my desk, “365 Days with Self-Discipline.” I bought it about a year ago. It is like a devotional but bigger, 6”x9” and 1.75” thick, bigger and I’m only on day 17 which is on ‘Rising from the Ashes of Failure.’ In my defense, I have several devotionals including the Bible to choose from each day and I wish I could say that I pick one every single day, but I don’t. I can’t say that I’ve prayed for more self-discipline either. I learned long ago, to be careful what you pray for. It’s like praying for patience and God sends you all sorts of people to practice on.
Still I wish I had more self-discipline, that my life had more routine to it. But to be honest, no, I chafe at routines, I rebel at schedules, but does that mean I’m a failure at self-discipline? I’d like to think there is hope for me because I do have a few redeeming qualities that serve me well: I’m stubborn — not like I won’t change my mind but rather I keep coming back to whatever I think is worthwhile; I’m curious — there has to be more than one way to accomplish an objective; I’m analytical — I like figuring things out. Often that is the whole objective, the fun of the process and the discovery of new things.
So failure is not necessarily a bad thing. Will I ever be a stellar self-disciplined person? No. Still, I keep coming back to the concepts and encouragements when I do read the book.
So when is failure final?
Unfortunately, many of us are so focused on the end goal that we don’t see the positive events along the way. If you don’t come in first you don’t win the race. If the win is all-important then you are missing out on the best part of the race, the preparation and how much stronger you are. The discipline (I really wish discipline was a four-letter word, it should be) … the discipline of training and the relationship you can develop with others who run. There are two wonderful things in that last sentence: training and relationships.
Life is one training program after another. Do we ever stop learning? Life is about relationships. God nurtures relationships with his people. And we are also to mature in self-discipline. God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
And we are called to holy living. 1 Peter 1:13 reminds us the time of Christ is coming… therefore prepare your minds for action, discipline yourselves, set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when He is revealed.
So then, there is no failure — only failure to learn, failure to try again. Self-discipline becomes an attribute of never giving up but striving over and over again to move closer to the goal.
Soon we enter a time of Lent. Six weeks to turn your focus to a self-discipline. Maybe now is the time to consider what do you want more of in your life, what would do you want less of? Yes, Lent has an element of self-discipline and of sacrifice, but it is also a time of great discovery and joy.
Now, to close with some sound perspectives from one of my favorites, Mark Twain: Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. But on the other hand … never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well. I suppose balance is just as important too.
Be well in these cold days and if you don’t make it to church, pray with us.
God bless our endeavors may they be fruitful according to God’s will.

Catherine Costello is pastor of Ursinus UCC, Rockwell