32. The Centurion

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Let’s reflect a bit on this battle-hardened centurion who knew the landscape of war and battle. He understood authority and the power of word and command, and he was about to see first-hand Jesus’ absolute authority. 

Let’s explore three subjects discovered in the story of the centurion. Authority, Discipline and Commitment.

Idea 1: Authority Who do you give authority to in your life? Have you submitted yourself and said ‘I give you authority in my life’ to speak over situations, speak into moments and events and even step in and correct you when you are out of order? It might sound easy but it can be a rather vulnerable place to put yourself. 

As a man that might perhaps wrestle with authority and the idea of submitting to other men in some way, how does this fit with you? Maybe spend a few moments to consider who these other men might be or who they need to be? 

Idea 2: Discipline The centurion had discipline, and maybe like me, when you think about discipline it seems to be about a set of rules for you to do something in a certain way. 

If you want to learn to speak a foreign language for example there is a discipline, a pattern and some rules to discover and follow. I think the same is also true about growing in our faith, but without the sense of a strict set of ‘must do’ rules.

Developing our spiritual discipline and a pattern into our lives can be built around prayer, reading the bible, worship, giving and accountability with guys we trust.  

What do some of these areas of spiritual discipline look like in your life? What are they and how do they help? Do you need to get some in place? 

Idea 3: Commitment So a slight transition from discipline is the idea of commitment. 

A sharper focus, feeling and connection where it gets personal. Commitment, I think, involves more of us, our heart, mind, energy, spirit and fight. 

In your life as a Christian what does commitment look like? Is it to your church leadership? Is it to the worship team? Where do you feel committed?

This can of course be an amazing thing but also a ball and chain around your life that you wish you didn’t have this or that commitment tied to you. 

Are there things you need to be more committed to? Are there areas of your life that you need to let go of and be released from as a commitment?

Action

Spend some time reflecting on this stuff, pray about it, talk to God. See if there is some aspects of discipline and commitment that will help you in your Christian faith.