About a year ago, while sitting in a restaurant with one of my dear friends (who will know who she is once she reads this), I noticed her new tattoo. "intentional" was delicately scrawled across her wrist in black. It was so simple, but I knew right away it would have a powerful explanation.
She told me how her and her brother decided to have a "word" for their summer a few years back. Something that would set the course for the plans they made and the people they filled their life with. They chose "intentional". The following summer, she decided that the word was too rich to only be used once, and decided her whole life needed to be intentional. Eventually, she had it permanently written on her wrist.
I have thought oh so many times about this encounter, and all that it leads me to. It causes me to drastically consider my own life and the decisions I make.
I must be intentional.
Rarely does anything monumental or exceptional happen without being intentional. My marriage, my friendships, my job, my health, my appearance, my clean house. The most beautiful outcomes are those that I was intentional about pursuing. And should they be any different than my connection with Him who created all of these beautiful happenings?
As Christians, we spend an exorbitant amount of time talking about "setting aside time to do devotions". I fully support this, but I also think that if we spent as much time talking to Jesus as we do talking about Him, we'd have a much closer relationship with Him.
We know we need to spend time in His Presence. We know we need to read His Word. We know we need to pray for others and the things we are believing for. But none of those things are ever going to happen unless we are fully intentional about doing all of them. I believe in forming habits so things come more naturally, but even habits have to be enforced on a daily basis if you want them to get anywhere. They're stubborn, like small children.
Being intentional in the Spirit also means being intentional about the fruits of the Spirit. I am a very exuberant person with lots of energy, so you would think that joy would come very easily for me. It's my middle name for goodness' sake. And while it often does, there are countless times where I have to CHOOSE JOY! Anyone else been there before?
One small story is a few weeks ago where I was having a terribly day at work, someone reamed me out on the phone, I had an allergic reaction to medication, and my joy tank was at zero. Our home group met that night to pray for our town and I was not enthused to say the least. I didn't know how I could possibly pour out for someone else when I was so empty. We had some time beforehand to soak in His Presence, and I CHOSE to have a good attitude, to let Him fill me up, and to be intentional about my own emotions. I didn't actually think it would work, but Jesus humored me and told me all sorts of wonderful things and aided in the turnaround of my crusty heart.
I can tell you, I have to be intentional EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. with how I spend my time and how full of His goodness I am. It is my responsibility, and I am taking ownership of it!
