What comes to mind when the phrase intentional living is mentioned?
The way I’ve been introduced to it looks like a peaceful, quiet life out in the country side tending to your chickens, children and sourdough starter. It’s focusing on the mundane things like laundry and cooking and simply enjoying and existing in life. It’s almost as if intentional living means creating a dream bubble in which to peacefully and comfortably live.
But is that what the Bible says about living intentionally?
Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
If we have a look at Jesus’s life on earth, He came with great intention. The purpose of His mission was first alluded to in Genesis 3:15 and all of scripture highlights the reason for His coming - to take our sin upon Himself and be punished in our place so that we can have eternal life with Him and be reconciled to the Father (Romans 5:10).
Now, this is quite contrasting to the way we understand intentional living in today’s world. It is almost as if intentional living is understood to mean we need to orchestrate our environment for it to serve us instead of following Jesus’ example and purposefully serving others.
Primarily, as discussed in a previous newsletter, intentionality means behaving with purpose. Not letting things happen by accident but considering them and acting with direction. So yes, you can be intentional about creating a ‘soft’ and ‘slow’ life - and I don’t think they are inherently bad - , but is that the purpose for which God created us?
As soon as you start reading the New Testament and the letters to the churches you will find that they are filled with calls to action by Jesus Himself and the early church writers. Whether to live in unity, to love each other sacrificially, to be obedient to God and follow His commands, to live in the new life Christ gives us or countless other encouragements, there are many guidelines for us to live in order to imitate Christ. (Note that the topic of the Holy Spirit’s work and the grace of God are deeply intertwined with this).
The point is; God has called us to be very intentional about how we live but living intentionally for God looks very differently to living intentionally for yourself.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
A life of godly intentionality is not one that is soft and comfortable. It is one of sacrifice and suffering, denying yourself and having self-control. But the peace and fulfillment that people strive for through living slow and soft lives, Jesus promises to give in full abundance (John 14:27, John 6:35) when we seek Him first.
Reflection
What is one area of your life can you be more intentional about in a Biblical way?
What is one small change you can make right now?
I hope you enjoyed today’s newsletter! If you want to learn more about how to build an intentional life that honours God, stay tuned to our weekly newsletter through email or our WhatsApp group.
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
We’ll chat again soon,
Cailyn xx
