There’s
something about the beginning of a new year that seems to inspire us to do
better; to grow and challenge ourselves.
At the beginning of 2017 I chose a word to dwell on throughout the
year. That word was “vision”. I selected
this word based on the first half of Proverbs 29:18 which states “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (KJV). We have a God-given purpose and vision and I
wanted to spend the year striving to turn my eyes to the Lord and follow HIS
plan rather than my own.
For 2018, I
have chosen the word “intentional”. To
be intentional simply means to do everything on purpose. It is so easy to be lackadaisical in the
various areas of our lives: our walk with the Lord, relationships, discipling
others, etc.
One of
the best ways to sharpen yourself is to be intentional with others. I challenge you to invest in others. Sharpen one another. Encourage one
another. Be intentional in one another’s lives.
When we become
internally focus and self-absorbed, we become blind to the needs of others. Even at church it is easy to coast through services,
events, and activities without even engaging with one another. Let’s be honest, things are a lot less messy
that way-but that’s not the Church.
I think James says it well. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and
not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22). We can know what God asks of us, but, as
James states, if we are hearers of the word, but not effectual doers, then we
are like someone who looks at his natural face in a mirror, for once he has
looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of
person he was.
Let’s not
forget what kind of people we are in 2018 and be intentional in doing what the
Lord has called us to do.
