IN EVERYTHING…To Be Intentional

“Mere intentions are not to be esteemed as actions.” ~ Unknown

Intentional…living my life each day in a way that is always alert and in tune to what surrounds me. Living a life of purpose..a life of actions that follow my intentions. Living each moment in a way that brings glory to God..in everything ! That is what the word intentional means to me.

To live each moment to the fullest! In a way that my minutes are not wasted, but used to fulfill God’s calling on my life.

This word has just been stuck in my head and heart the past few days, especially. I know it is because God has placed it there.

How can we live our lives intentionally ? We must seek God in everything. Not just when we want something or when we think that we need something. In EVERYTHING.

My husband said something the other day that tied right into this word..intentional. He said, “I was thinking of telling the girls that this week we are on a mission.” What he meant was : Yeah..we are on vacation…but we are where we are for a purpose. We need to be aware even on vacation to see who it is God wants us to reach out to. Isn’t God so cool?! He laid intentionality on my husband’s heart and mind too.

No matter where we are..

To be intentional.

At home..at the grocery store..at work..in the hospital..at the doctor’s office..on vacation..wherever we are. Be intentional. Be alert to who might be around us.. who might need a simple hello or smile.

The thing about it is, you may never know who you touched just because you were attune to those around you. Just because you made an extra effort to be kind to someone..and just because you stopped and asked God what His plans were for you..asking Him what He wanted you to do and who He wants you to reach out to. That is being intentional friends.

When we are tired…when we are rested…when we feel well and when we are sick..be intentional. Who can we minister to? How can we be a good witness for Christ through our situations?

No matter where we are..no matter where God has placed us. We can choose to be aware and to be intentional for HIM. There is a reason God has us where we are.

St Francis of Assisi said it best: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” What do you think that means? The obvious answer is that we can actually preach the Gospel with our actions..and that words are not always necessary in order to show God’s love to others. I believe it means to be intentional about spending time with others and letting Jesus shine through us. I also believe that it means that we can go through our day and not even have to say a word about Jesus..but that if He is in us and we truly have a relationship with Him, it will be so evident by our actions..and by our non-reactions. (if you know what I mean..)

Why would you want to lock Him away for nobody to see anyways??? God is AWESOME!!! God is LOVE!!! We have to be intentional about sharing that LOVE!!!

St. Francis of Assisi was a man who was born into wealth..lived a life of luxury..and chose to give it all up. He lived a life of intentionality. According to history, he answered God’s call and surrendered ALL for God. I recommend you looking him up and reading about his life. I had always heard his quotes.. but after reading about him..they made more sense.

Same goes for the Bible. I challenge you to really read it and study it. Be intentional about it. Blogs and devotions and true stories are great when they are spirit-led, but nothing should ever take the place of God’s word… The Bible.

I want to live a life that is intentional.

An intentional life can’t be selfish. We all have a purpose. Are we being intentional about it?

Philippians 2:13 (NIV) ~ for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

I do not want to waste my life away. I choose to be intentional in everything..to bring God glory! To let there be more of Him.. Less of me. That’s the only way..

John 3:30 (NIV) ~ He must increase, but I must decrease.

Until Next Time,