Being Intentional

Intentional. Intentional. Intentional.

Word of the day/month, whatever the time frame. It's the only word that runs through my head and heart over and over and over.

Being intentional is doing things on purpose with focus and a plan. Knowing why you are doing something and doing it with passion and purpose. Why do you do the things that you do? Why are we impatient in traffic? Because we think that we don't have the time to wait behind someone that is slow. Because we think that we are more important than the person ahead of us. Because we think that we are more important than laws and rules. Because we have places to go and people to see. Because we want to blame our lateness on someone else. Because we always want to find something to complain about. Whatever the reason, it's not right.

And so lately I have been asking myself WHY for all the things that I do. Not to the point of overanalyzation that I stop progress of a conversation or action, but just so that I can realize the reason. I have goals. I have plans. I have a Savior who expects more from me. He wants me to love, to have compassion, to make time to build into people, to make the most of my time to honor Him, to work with fervor in my job and give Him the glory. Am I doing that all the time? At any time? I am not so sure.

I love my job as a personal trainer. I am getting better at it and really connecting with my clients and the people that I work with. But Jesus is missing. Not that He has withdrew from my life, but because I have withdrew from Him. I don't think that I can do it on my own and haven't tried to, but when things are just going alright, I tend to not rely on Him. Not trusting Him with all my heart and leaning on my own understanding. In all my ways I need to acknowledge Him and He will make my paths straight.

Back to intentionality. Being intentional about what He has told me to do. Being intentional about how to live my life to honor Him. Things like making time to read my Bible, to pray for those that need it and those that think they don't, to treat everyone with God's love and get rid of the judgement that controls our thought processes. It's the little things too. Being intentional about brushing my teeth everynight (even though it was never enforced and so not a habit I am familiar with). Being intentional about time management, making priorities, and striving to reach my goals by setting and reaching smaller "stepping stone" goals.

We are called to a higher standard and I want to live at that level. I want people to notice my strive for excellence and my dedication to my work, people and things that will bring my God glory and attention. It's not about me, it's about Him. How can I make every action, every thought, every word reflect JESUS and the role that He has in my life?