Intentional
You know why I believe we need to be intentional about our spiritual formation? Because very few good things happen when we are being unintentional.
Point in case: my body (or yours). I am not intentional about being in shape. I think about being in shape. I have the shoes, the clothes, and the water bottle. I printed a plan off the Internet that promises something to the effect of “From Couch to 5K in 12 weeks!” But I am not intentional in my pursuit. Generally, I go to sleep thinking if I feel good in the morning I’m going to take the dog for brisk walk. Right. I never wake up feeling good.
The really bad part is that not being intentional about the shape of my body does not translate into no changes in my body. Apparently, there is no such thing as maintaining or staying the same. As we age, things are naturally getting worse. It is a race against time now, folks, and I’m on the short end! So, my lack of intentionality does not result in me staying the same weight and size that I was when I was 20. No sir, those numbers have moved in the wrong, wrong direction.
And here’s my point. The same is true of our spiritual lives. There is no such thing as a spiritual plateau. We are either going toward him or away from him. You see the evidence of this in an earthly marriage (to use the analogy in the Scriptures concerning the relationship between God and his people). I could post a list of links here, but infidelity and marriage break-ups are way too common. You don’t need the reminder or the latest gossip. But if you think about any of these cases, consider whether either or both party in that marriage was being intentional about their relationship. Where they pursuing one another? Working to find common ground? Celebrating the common alongside the milestones?
This is what it takes to be intentional in our spiritual formation. We can’t just think about doing it. We can’t just know we should be doing it. We have to do something.
Eventually, we have to wake up and say, It’s a good day for a walk!
*photo by timtak on Flickr
This is such a weird coincidence. Michael has been talking about being intentional for weeks now. It comes up in all our little discussions about life. He said he’s quoting Dr. Randy Carlson, whom I just googled. And sure enough, that seems to be the guy’s main message. These are great analogies. Definitely makes me want to live intentionally.
Ouch…I have the same issue with exercise (or the lack of it). You’ve nailed me, Felicity.
I like the analogy for all areas of life here. Great message.
Pete Wilson posted this quote on Twitter today: “God is not opposed to effort but to earning.” – Dallas Willard
I think my lack of discipline in these areas has something to do with an incorrect view of spiritual discipline in general. As an approval addict, I have been guilty of “earning” love and attention from people. I know I can’t do that with God and yet I forget that if this is a real relationship then it will require effort on my part. Dan can’t earn my love by doing the laundry – but when he does the laundry, even when he’s tired, I FEEL loved.
We listen to Dr. Randy Carlson a lot, and I’m always motivated and encouraged by his message. He makes me feel like I can be intentional with just a few little changes here and there. Thanks for the reminder, Felic.
Felicity, this is so true!
I taught kindergarten a couple of years ago, and one of the goals amongst the teachers was to be more intentional–and to help the children be more intentional in the projects they chose to work on. The whole thing fascinated me. So often we just go through our lives without thinking very much about what we do; we just stay on the path. Yet simple, clarifying thoughts about where we want to end up can make such a difference.
Before I started getting serious about getting my writing published, I heard Wayne Dyer do a talk on intentionality on a PBS pledge drive. I don’t necessarily agree with everything he says, but that talk really motivated me to think about where I feel led to go, and then to keep those thoughts in the front of my brain.
Great post!