Intentionality

Wouldn’t it be nice to go through each day with no deadlines, no expectations from anyone, and no appointments to make us hurry to beat the clock?  Not according to many health professional studying those in retirement.  We are hardwired to be useful every day. To contribute to the tribe or village.  We need to be useful and have purpose. If you believe Pastor Rick Warren from Saddleback Church - our very lives are “Purpose Driven”.

"Without a vision, the people perish."

Proverbs 29:18

As Christians what is the vision set before us and what is our purpose.   

For both areas, I think it can be categorized as inward and outward.

The inward vision God has for us is found in our relationship with Him. Relationships take time and work.  They aren’t perfect and they can be frustrating. Yes, you can be frustrated with God. That’s doesn’t stop your love for Him and it certainly doesn’t stop His.  These three verses describe a good relationship motto:

“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.”   Matthew 12:18


“I am my beloved’s and He is mine.”  Song of Solomon 6:3a


“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons^] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39


The outward vision is our mission God needs us to accomplish. This might be something like recorded in Isaiah 49:8-9:

 “This is what the Lord says:

“In the time of my favor I will answer you,
    and in the day of salvation I will help you;
I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people,
to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances,
You will say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’

The inward purpose supports the vision in practical steps to fulfill the vision.  Inward purposes might include prayer time with God, a Bible Study, memorizing scripture, or going to church every week.  These are things that will bring you closer to God and they will be different for each one of us because we each have a personal relationship with God. Here is a good reminder of how important God’s word is to our life:

"I have hidden your word in my heart 

that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount all the laws

that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes 

as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."

Psalms 119:11-16  

The outward purpose supports the vision in practical steps to fulfill the vision. Outward purposes might include giving a testimony, helping a family buy groceries, serving Sunday’s in the toddler class at Church, or maybe leading a small group in your home. Your purpose also comes with some tools.  First, the Holy Spirit. Second, the authority of God. Third, unique gifts meant to enable you to accomplish the assignment, then you get the armor of God, and a big book full of stories from others that experienced God’s visions and worked through them.  This book even includes tips of what to and what not to do. Lastly, God has said He would always be available for questions.

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

The question we have to ask ourselves in these four areas is, are we intentional about growing the inward and fulfilling the outward?  If someone has wronged you or hurt you I’ll bet you’ve heard the phrase, “I’m sorry, it wasn’t on purpose.” Sometimes my response is a bit snarky, “Yes, but you didn’t purpose to stop it either.” Thinking in reverse can open up a new perspective and in this case can reveal thoughtlessness.  Sure the person didn’t mean for you to be hurt but they didn’t think about how it would affect you. If they had, they probably would have realized you’d be hurt and perhaps they would have taken precautions or elected not to moving forward.  To live intentionally means practicing thoughtfulness when moving and thoughtfulness when not moving.

Practicing thoughtfulness, unfortunately, isn’t a scheduled session.  It is an all-day event. We never know who is watching or listening and be hurt by our thought-less-ness. At all times we should be purposing to reflect the correct image of God to others. Here are 8 scriptures reminding us of the importance of being a good example:

1.    You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.   - Matthew 5:13

2.    In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  - Matthew 5:16

3.    Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  - Ephesians 5:1

4.    Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

5.    Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

6.    Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  - 1 Timothy 4:12

7.    8. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness   - Titus 2:7

8.    9. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. - Philippians 3:17

 

We do not have to worry about failing to live up to this standard.  Even the disciples struggled and failed at times.  Paul wrote a wonderful passage in Romans 7 where he laments his own struggle…

 “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

 Here’s a video about a man that asked God to help him be a man living a more intentional life: https://youtu.be/fWcs1GmJRQs

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:13

OUR PRAYER

Jesus, thank you for saving me from myself. Thank you for taking on all of my mistakes.  I want to be a good example as one of your followers.   Forgive me for the times I have not been that example. I want to begin living intentionally for you.  Please help me to see and hear your vision for my life and lay out your purposes you have for me.  Thank you for the awesome tools you provide and your guidance. I love you!