Think about that for a minute. That simple statement packs a
powerful punch.
Speaking volumes of truth it stabs at my heart more than
just a little.
Relating to it in a number of ways I intend to eat
healthier, lose weight, exercise more, read more, pray more sincerely, read my Bible every day, go to bed earlier so
I can get up earlier in order to get all these good intentions done!
…often, I struggle with following through, putting feet on
my goals and aspirations. Whether it’s a lack of motivation or time, poor
planning, procrastination, it’s a always a battle to stay on track or to do the right
thing.
The last two years my "word for the year" seemed to
focus more on my physical desires and struggles to lose weight and get healthy.
Though these are certainly things that God wants us to pursue and be good
stewards of (believe me, I still need to put some action to these intentions) this
year is different. I knew I needed to change things around and focus greater on
my spiritual desires as well as surrendering with obedience to God’s leading. With
this comes a whole new set of inhibitors to taking action: fear, feelings of
inadequacy and self-doubt, intimidation, insecurity, not knowing where to
start, becoming overwhelmed…yada, yada, yada….
But getting it done remains the same. Without action,
intention has no worth, gives no results – with no results, no growth and no
reward.
Good intentions get us nowhere. We have to take action. How?
By choosing. Choosing to do whatever it takes. To do what is required to create change in order to grow. Then the results and reward will come. Choosing requires
surrender and probably some sacrifice. Choosing to surrender to the actions and
steps it will take may require sacrifice of things such as time or
sleep. But in the end, worth it. Worth it to see the results we desire, to see the
growth and goals we, or God, want to see.
So what if we still continue to fail at following through to do
what we need to do? Do we give up? God is full of grace and mercy and He’s the
God of second chances. So we choose again, forget what’s done and start again. Every
day and every minute, choose. If we don’t, we will never reach our goals much
less move toward them. We will miss the best that God has for us.
“But this one thing I do:
forgetting what lies behind and straining forward
to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
When we realize the prize, this is when the sense of accomplishment
and joy comes, an added bonus to all the hard work.
Intention alone gets us nowhere. However, being intentional with action
beats it every time!
Are you working toward goals with good intention? Or are you being intentional with action? What are some ways you take action? What gets you going again to keep from giving up?
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