Let’s talk about Randy.
Randy was the kind of guy you’d want on your team. Smart, reliable, spiritually grounded—or so it seemed. He led a small group. Taught Sunday school. Worked in the marketplace with a sense of integrity and drive. But over time, something in him began to shift.
At first it looked like burnout. He was constantly tired. Irritable. A little cynical. Then it became deeper—he didn’t want to go to church anymore. He dropped out of Bible study. Prayer felt pointless. And at work, he started isolating. He didn’t want coaching. He didn’t want feedback. He only wanted to do what he wanted to do.
When we finally sat down to talk, he didn’t have any dramatic explanation. No crisis of faith. Just this quiet confession: “I’m angry all the time, and I don’t know why. I feel disappointed, but I don’t know what’s missing.”
And here’s the hard truth we both landed on:
Randy hadn’t lost his job. He hadn’t lost his family.
He’d lost the mission.
Not the mission of his work—but the mission of the Kingdom of God. And he lost it because he had slowly given up the disciplines that were forming his soul.
Discipline Isn’t Legalism—It’s Leadership of the Soul
We often treat “discipline” like it’s a dirty word. Something religious. Something rigid. But it’s not. Discipline is just the intentional shaping of what we love.
And when discipline fades, so does vision.
So does clarity.
So does peace.
If we’re going to stay grounded and lead well—in life, in business, in family—we have to recover the why behind discipline and disciple-making. Here are four reasons they’re essential:
1. Discipline protects your heart from sabotage.
The world isn’t the only battleground. The real war is happening in you.
Jeremiah 17:9 puts it plainly:
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
That’s not hopeless—it’s honest. Your heart will drift. It will justify shortcuts. It will spiritualize apathy. Discipline—the regular, intentional returning to prayer, Scripture, community—helps guard your soul when your emotions want to hijack the wheel.
2. Discipline creates space for the Holy Spirit to work.
You can’t force transformation. But you can make space for it.
The early church devoted themselves to rhythms—teaching, fellowship, prayer, breaking bread (Acts 2:42). Not because they were religious rule-followers, but because they knew they couldn’t rely on spontaneous passion or Spirit-filled feelings to carry them.
That’s true for us, too. You won’t always feel on fire for God. But when you keep showing up, the Spirit meets you there. Sometimes discipline is the only bridge that carries us from spiritual drought to renewal.
3. Disciple-making keeps your faith alive.
It’s not just about you. Jesus didn’t say “go feel spiritual.” He said,
“Go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19)
When we stop investing in others, our own faith starts to stall. Why? Because obedience always grows us. When you pour into others—mentor, teach, encourage—you’re forced to keep your own walk active.
Randy wasn’t just disconnected from church. He was disconnected from mission. Disciple-making isn’t a church program—it’s the pulse of Kingdom life.
4. Discipline realigns you with purpose when emotions fail.
You won’t always want to do the right thing. That’s normal.
But disciplined people do what’s right even when they don’t want to—and that’s what builds strength.
Hebrews 12:11 says it clearly:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace…”
Peace isn’t the reward for doing what feels good.
It’s the fruit of doing what’s faithful.
The Kingdom Grows One Yes at a Time
Randy’s story isn’t unique. Many leaders hit that wall. But he started saying yes again—not because he felt like it, but because he knew the Spirit was calling him back.
One quiet morning at a stoplight, coffee in hand, he whispered:
“God, if there’s still Kingdom work to do in me, I’m not going to fight You anymore.”
That was his turning point.
It might be yours too.
Final Word for Leaders
Discipline isn’t about spiritual performance.
It’s about Kingdom alignment.
And disciple-making isn’t a churchy add-on.
It’s how you stay awake to what God is doing.
If you’ve drifted, this isn’t condemnation. It’s an invitation.
Come back to the mission.
Come back to the rhythm.
Come back to the Kingdom—starting with your own heart.
