Choose This Day — Intentionality

People too often forget that it is your own choice how you want to spend the rest of your life. — Rachel Wolchin

Just after the word activation on the scale of importance is the word intentional. It’s the opposite of passive. It’s an action word. It’s about focused energy, effort, and mindfulness.

It takes intentionality to lead with clarity and conviction, to make known the choices before each of us, and to declare the best choice, the right path, especially when unpopular, or maybe it’s just not easy.

We see this in in Moses’ leadership, and then his understudy and next generation leader Joshua.

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15

It takes intentionality to speak truth in a culture where anything and everything goes. Right? We see this as Isaiah foretold about John the baptist, living 100% for one purpose, one cause. To proclaim the coming of Christ.

Isaiah spoke this about John, who, like himself, would also be a prophet preaching repentance, encouraging people to live for God alone. “A voice of one calling: In the desert prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God”  Isaiah 40:3.

It takes intentionality to live on mission. To step out further than the complacent and safe space our comfort zones provide. In western culture, it is not popular to make declarations for our beliefs, convictions, or values.

Intentionally means pushing forward, despite how you or others feel. It’s not about warm and fuzzies, it’s about pursuing purpose, mission, and the impact imprinted in our DNA, our mind and soul.

My prayer today, is that what you are made for is so clear that it causes a shift, dramatically, significantly, intentionally different than anything you’ve experienced before. My prayer is that you step forward in faith, trusting what God is doing in your life is better, and for the good of those right around you, and also those who love Him.

Living on mission requires intentionality. And the direction of your choices become clear over time. And those choices impact not only you but future generations. And in the end, our choices will become unseeable.

What we choose and how we live it out, is certainly — intentional. I am praying for this next year, for you to live out the purpose you were created for, because you are loved by the Creator, and you are equipped to do even greater things.

Kodiak Community Baptist Church