I want to live my life intentionally. I want to worship intentionally. I want to love intentionally. I desire and strive to have an intentional relationship with God. Do we go to worship simply because that's what we do on Sunday mornings? Do we tell someone we love them out of habit? Do we comfort and hug friends who are struggling because we like to feel needed and we don't know what else to do? What are our intentions behind these things? It's not simply just about attending worship, telling those you're close with that you love them or comforting friends when they cry.
I'll admit that when I worship my heart isn't always there. I don't always go in to it seeking to get something out of it. Sometimes I'm unfocused. Sometimes I begin thinking of everything else I need to do. Sometimes I sing the songs simply because they're projected on the screen or just because I know the words. I long for every time of worship to begin with an open, clear, focused heart and mind. Sometime I wonder - How often do we go to worship with a completely open heart and mind? Do we raise our hands because that is what everyone around us is doing or do we raise our hands in surrender to Him? Are we there with a purpose or are we there so others can see us and check our name off the attendance? What are our intentions in worship?
When someone says "I love you" to us, do we respond with intention, meaning, and feeling behind our "I love you too" - or do we say it out of habit? Has it become an automatic reflex that we say without even thinking? Do we intentionally love them back? Do we take the time to show that love to them? Is there purpose and meaning behind our response or is it simply words out of our mouth? Those three words should be reserved for special, meaningful, deep relationships. I'm not referring only to romantic relationships - but all relationships in life - parents, siblings, friends, spouses, etc. Society seems to throw these words around and they've lost meaning, there seems to be a confusion between the words "like" and "love". There are middle school students who have been dating for a week who say "I love you" to each other. These words used to mean more than "you're cool". Intentional love has meaning, it has a purpose, it holds value.
Intentional love means that no matter what dumb mistake they make, we will still be there for them. No matter what choices they make, whether we agree with their choices or not, we won't give up on them and we won't leave them. It means that times won't always be easy....there will be arguments and disagreements and struggles...but in return there will support and hugs, celebration and trust. The point that society seems to have lost is that "like" can easily change - I used to like lemonade, now I cant stand to drink it. Love doesn't change, it may grow stronger, but it doesn't change. Gods love for me is real, it is intentional - it will not change. Intentional, true, purposeful love does not just disappear one day, love is meant to only grow stronger. Are we loving intentionally in relationships?
Intentional relationships require time. We have to put in work and effort to gain results. I want to have that intentional relationship with God. I don't want to "use Him and lose Him" by being intentional in my relationship with Him during struggles, but lose purpose when things are going well. I want to be intentional about seeking Him, hanging out with Him and serving Him. I don't simply want to do it because it's what I do.
Sometimes I think we do things for so long that we forget why we started doing them in the first place and we begin doing them out of habit. When I started leading the youth at church, I wanted to impact their lives, I wanted to be that person who could help guide them and let them find their way and shine their light and I wanted to be a positive example in their life. I've only been doing it for 4 years, but there are times when I put together a lesson or a trip or an activity just because that's what we do. Sometimes I forget to stop and take the time and think about if what I'm preparing is what they need, if there is a point to doing it, or why am I doing it. We must remind ourselves why we have our relationship with God. Take a second to think about communion. In our church we take it once a month, the first Sunday of every month. When we go up to take the communion, are we thinking about what that means or are we getting a snack because we're hungry? Are we realizing what it symbolizes and taking time to think about what it truly means to accept communion? (Notice I said accept, it has been given to us, its not something we take, its a gift we accept). What is it that started us on the path to a relationship with God? Why do we pray to Him? Do we have faith In our relationship with Him? Why do we believe? Why do we do what we do in our relationship with Him?
The word "intention" holds power and has the capability to change our entire way of thinking. Why are we doing what we're doing? Are we truly striving to be intentional about our actions, thoughts, words, and relationships? Sometimes being intentional may mean watching less TV, spending less money, giving up "me" time, establishing boundaries, or even getting up 10 minutes earlier. Being intentional requires us to make time and sacrifice some of our selfish desires....but the rewards will far outweigh the sacrifice. When we're intentional or purposeful about these things they suddenly seem to have more meaning, more value, and we tend to take more care for them. God is intentional about loving us. It's time for us to wake up and start living life intentionally.
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