Intentions

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Good or bad, we all have intentions.

Sometimes our intentions are good. We desire--intend--to clean out that closet, make a wonderful dinner, run a bunch of miles, cut out sweets or fat in our diet, spend more time with family, or any one of a bazillion other things. But, alas, the best of intentions don't always equate to a "done" check mark on our to-do list.

Then, there are those times when we intend to do something that's not so good. I can remember coming home late from a date. This guy was not a church-going, conservative, clean cut kind of guy. I was in high school. He was not. I'm not sure why I was even allowed to go in the first place. Perhaps my parents understood that a refusal might just drive their daughter into his arms instead of theirs. Anyway, the clock was ticking and tocked itself right past the hour I was to be home. It wasn't by much but I was late. So, I intentionally set my watch back five or ten minutes, figuring I could use an errant timepiece as a valid excuse for my late arrival. Sadly, but not surprisingly, my parents did not buy it. My intention to deceive brought about consequences for me and disappointment for them.

If we are to have direction and purpose in life, we must be intentional. We must determine what is important and set our course, letting nothing deter us. Our intentions must be solid. They must be substantive. But they must not stay intentions. They need to be realized.

We must carefully and consciously intend, plan, and do.

Live as children of light. . .and find out what pleases the Lord. . .Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.
(Ephesians 5:8b,10,15,16a)

Comments

Rick Gray said…
There are people who just never get round-to-it. I wonder if they will be a day late and a dollar short when they are before God asking to be admitted.

By the way, I love the part where you turned back your watch. That gave me a chuckle as I read.
February 15, 2011 at 1:07 PM
Rebekah Trittipoe said…
I had a reputation for being a good girl but that didn't keep me from being a bad girl on occasion. :)
February 15, 2011 at 5:18 PM
UltraBrad said…
Ahh, yes. Planning. Proactive instead of reactive. There's some real wisdom in there.

We're working on our finances now and are seeing the theme show up there too with the dreaded word "Budget". We're forcing ourselves to learn to be intentional with our money versus just reacting to life. Exerting control over money, in this case, leads to a peace that God has in store for us.

And peace, is a good feeling.

Thanks for sharing this!
February 16, 2011 at 9:12 AM
Rebekah Trittipoe said…
Great application of principle, Brad! Sounds like a quote out of a Dave Ramsey book! Good stuff!
February 16, 2011 at 9:39 AM
UltraBrad said…
Re: Ramsey...how did you know? ;-)
February 16, 2011 at 9:43 AM
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