Traveling with Purpose

There is something that has been weighing on my mind lately. I subscribe to the Girl Defined channel on Youtube and faithfully watch their videos. There is a word that they use on the regular, that always strikes a chord with me and moves me to do a heart check and, if I am being totally honest- fills me with conviction. The word is Intentional. They use this in reference to a dating relationship, our daily walk as a Christian, the people we choose to spend time with, how we spend our time (both in the passing, and in the waiting), and of course our relationship with Christ.

As I ponder this word, I understand that the message is to live a life with purpose, and that our actions should always be centered in God and His desires, but the more I think about it, the more I want to know the full and true meaning of the word- so I looked up the root word and here it is, straight from dictionary.com-

Intent

Noun: 1. Purposeful 2. State of a person’s mind that directs his or her actions toward a specific object 3. Meaning or significance

Adj.: 1. Firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed 2. Attention sharply focused 3. Determined or resolved 4. Intense, earnest

There are a few words here that jump out at me and force me to ask myself a very pointed question:

Am I living my Christian life in a purposeful, significant way while seeking and sharing God in a fixed, sharply focused manner with determination and intensity?

I am sad to say that while I do pursue God, I am far from living intentionally according to the definitions provided.

As I continued investigating, I wanted some direction on what the Bible says about the way that we should live, several verses spoke to and encouraged me:

Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as to the Lord.

Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You.

1st John 2:3 (AMP)

And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments [teachings].

I absolutely love this where it talks about becoming more deeply acquainted with Christ- what a wonderful benefit to living an intentional life! And lastly- one more verse from 1st John.

1st John 5:3 (AMP)

For the [true] love of God is this; that we habitually keep His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey].

I wanted to share another thought on this matter, part of it is from Girl Defined- these ladies strongly encourage young women to seek Godly counsel in a Proverbs 31 and/or a Titus 2 women (each chapter referenced defines the character and virtues of a Godly woman). But hand in hand with this is something that I have heard my pastor mention a couple of times recently when he was sharing about spending time with a wise and experienced pastor friend. Following advice that was given to my pastor, he never shows up without specific questions to ask. It is always good to spend time in the company of someone who has a great ministry but if you act intentionally and prepare your thoughts and questions, you will make the most of your time and experience. I plan to implement this when I have the opportunity to have time with Christian role models.

I would like to challenge you and myself to live in a bold and intentional way when it comes to our Christian walk. I think most of us have an understanding with God that if He gives us a neon arrow flashing moment that we will step up and talk about our faith, but if we live in a way that allows others to really see our relationship with God, it will not only help us to minister, but be more deeply acquainted with Him.

I am just reminded about my life as the new kid, we moved a lot and time after time, I was the new kid. There were days, and sometimes weeks before I would find a niche where I felt accepted. But I remember certain moments when a group that I had felt that I might belong to would be planning a sleepover or even a plan to play together at recess, teetering with my feelings, bracing myself to be left out or forgotten… and then it would happen- someone would say my name, including me and confirming that I was a valued part of the group.

I wonder if this is anything like the feeling that God has when we, in our everyday life, mention Him as we make plans and just talk about our closest friends. I want to warm His heart with my life.

Something to think about-

Do people assume that I am a Christian because I go to church?

Or do they know that I am a Christian and assume that I go to church?