Living Intentionally
Everyday we make decisions as to what we do. Is living intentionally our purpose? Some of us react to events - OK all of us react to events some just more than others. Some of us have detailed plans for the day. Others just go with the flow and rarely plan or take initiative.
A Confession
My confession, I am distracted by shiny objects. Some people call it SOS, Shiny Object Syndrome. I don’t have the success I want in my business. So I look and at times people find me and make offers. I don’t always go with them. I am getting better at refusing to even look at what does not further my goal.
I have started to reverse engineer my business. I want my life to look a certain way. I don’t know all the steps to get there. However, there are some principles that I hold as true. There are certain things I don’t want to compromise. There are certain goals I would like to accomplish.
Constants of Life
Some things should be constant in our lives. One is to get to know God more, to have a personal relationship with Him. This can be done by praying (talking with God), and by reading His word - The Bible. Spending time with God is like spending time with children or the spouse. As you spend time with others you get to know them better. The same is true with God. Sometimes I ask the my grandchildren "What did you do yesterday?" Pray is not always asking God can you do this for me or can I have that. Ask Him what he thinks about something you read or saw on TV. You might be surprised by the answer. Others may be surprised they get an answer.
God has placed us in certain circumstances everyday. If it is work then we should honor and glorify Him through our work. If we are in a relationship or married then it is to be the best husband, wife, friend to that person. If it is being a parent then it is to be the best parent we can be.
When you look at being a friend or spouse, being a parent, being an employee or an employer, an entrepreneur, being a neighbor, where is the time for God. Well we have to make a decision to live intentionally to give the first and the best part of our day to God.
God will give us everything we need. He will provide the wisdom and the favor we need. Matthew 6:33 says But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
All these things are clothing, food and water.
In Philippians 4:19 Paul wrote And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Every need of ours will be supplied. God has an unlimited supply of good for us.
Your Mission Staement
One way to live intentionally is to have a mission statement. A personal mission statement, if you own a business have a mission statement for the business. If you married have one for your family.
Our intention should be to live like Jesus lived. He came here for a specific task. He did not build companies, he didn’t judge, he didn’t build temples or raise everyone from the dead or even heal all the sick. He came to teach others that there is a better way. He wasn’t distracted by great opportunities that were not part of His mission.
Be Picky Where You Spend Your Time and Energy
We have to realize that we can’t do everything. We can’t invest our time and energy in every opportunity that comes along. Let's take our cue from Jesus. However, we should invest our time and energy in opportunities that build us up and make us stronger to accomplish our mission. We are to honor God with what we say, do and think.
The Message says it like this Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. 1 Peter 1:18-19
We are to make plans. We are to put energy and power into those plans. Things won’t just come into our lives because we think about them. We have to think which causes us to desire and that desire causes us to take action.
Proverbs 16:3 says Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Colossians 3:23 reads Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says it like this Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Living intentionally is about seeking God and His kingdom first. Then we get know His plans for us and embracing those plans with our hearts. Diligently working for God to honor and glorify Him with the skills, the talents and the desires He gave us.
Proverbs 22:29 See you a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.