Discipleship

In my linguistics class, we've been talking about morphemes. Morphemes are the smallest unit of language that holds meaning. We often think of them as roots or suffixes or prefixes.

I've been wading through the New Testament in my personal scripture study the last few months. I love the four gospels, but Paul's words tend to wash right over my head. But one thing stood out to me as I was reading in the gospels. Christ refers to his followers as "disciples." According to the dictionary, a disciple is a follower, student, learner, apprentice, or pupil.

I have often wondered what it means to truly be a disciple of Christ. I think the answer to that question is a lifelong question. I don't expect to ever master the concept in this life. However, while contemplating morphemes the other day in class, I realized that "disciple" has the same root as the word "discipline." That means that the two words are related.

Isn't it true? Part of following Christ and being a disciple of Him is obeying his commandments - and all the commandments require discipline. It takes work and practice and self-control to emulate Him in all that we do. Those who practice an instrument or play a sport understand the discipline it takes to keep going even when it's hard, to do something over and over and over so many times until it becomes a habit, second nature, if you will. They understand the practical application of discipline in both body and mind to be able to keep going even when all you want to do is quit. Is it not the same with the gospel? Some habits are hard to break, and others are even harder to form - but, as the instrumentalists and the athletes can attest, once the task is mastered, the rewards far outweigh the pain and stress and difficulty and discipline it took to get there.

I know that's true. I know it's worth it. Sometimes, it takes an inhuman amount of discipline to keep doing everything I know I should. Sometimes it seems so much easier to quit, to stop trying to keep my temper in check, to keep getting up early to read my scriptures, to keep remembering the purpose of my fast, to keep working on myself as a person and trying to grow. But it is SO worth it. It's worth it every day when I kneel at my bedside and feel the incredible love of a Heavenly Father wrapping all around me, encouraging me to keep going. It's worth it when I stop and recognize the hundreds of blessings, both big and small, that are showered upon me in the most unexpected ways. It's worth it when I remember the promises made to me in blessings and in the temple, and knowing that someday, somehow, everything will be made right, that all the frustrating inconsistencies of this life will be resolved, that relationships will be made perfect, that loved ones will be cared for, and that no matter what, I can always access the love of a Heavenly Father, who is God, who knows me and loves me and supports my righteous efforts.

That's worth all the discipline in the world. Being a disciple is more than talking about following Christ. It's truly syncing my life with His and being like Him.

Viva la Vida.