Subversive Sabbath: The Surprising Power of Rest in a Nonstop World

by A.J. Swoboda

That is what a discipline is—it is something we do consistently that changes our hearts and minds over time. This is reflected in Paul’s admonition to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14). What does it mean to put on Jesus Christ? The gist of what Paul commands is closely related to me dressing like a professor in order to become a professor. None of us are born into the world with the character of Jesus Christ. Character comes over time as we follow Christ. Disciplines are a way to “clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” Disciplines, like worship, can include a variety of actions—prayer, fasting, contemplation, silence, service, reading Scripture. The hope is that by doing them our hearts are changed—that in dressing like Christ, we become like Christ. A discipline is putting on some attribute of Jesus in hopes that it changes the very makeup of our hearts and minds.