Can I Say “Intentional”??
Can I use the word “intentional?”
I ask because, as I have discussed with friends, that word is getting way over-used these days, especially in Christian circles. If you asked me to make a list of all the buzzwords of Church-speak recently, it would look like this: Intentional, Community, Relevant, Post-Modern, Holistic, Emergent, and Globally/Generationally focused.
Ok, so anyways, that’s beside the point.
Here’s the point. Let me clue you in to 2 people who are pretty cool, in my book. This will hopefully be a shorter blog, but you need to hear 2 quick stories.
I’m really proud of my sister and her fiancée, Brad. They are set to wed this August and I’m really proud of how much they love each other and how much they want to grow closer to God. God made a perfect match with these two.
Brad (or as we call him, Bradkowski) especially has shown an intense desire to grow from a younger Christian into a mature faith. This isn’t just some guy trying to modify behavior to win the girl he wants. No, this guy is serious about growing in his faith.
Let me explain. (And, no…he didn’t know I even really knew of this or that I’m writing about this. That makes it even cooler.).
As I mentioned in the last writing, we participated in a church-wide fast in early January. Well, Brad had never heard of such a thing, so he asked Pops for the sermon notes (he and Amy are in Lubbock at Texas Tech. Let’s hope God forgives them for being Red Raiders!). So, he gets them, does some research, and totally on his own, he goes into his own 3 day fast. Amy says that at meal times, he would just go to a quiet spot on campus, open his Bible and read and pray. He then used it as a witnessing opportunity to a friend as well.
THAT is a guy who is, dare I say, “INTENTIONAL” about growing and maturing his faith! That is not the casual, relaxed, comfortable Christianity that is too prevalent these days. He took action for the benefit of his (and others) faith.
Brad, if you’re reading this, that is really, really awesome. Not only that, it is also encouraging and convicting to me. What am I DOING to go deeper in my walk? What am I DOING to draw closer to God? Great job, man. Keep it up.
James 3:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
Psalm 119:9-10 “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh let me not wander from Your commandments.”
I have another friend who’s a female and in college right now. She has had her ups and downs with guys and relationships and has been careful with her heart. But, lately, the guy situation has been pretty dry; as in, the guys who want to date her have not been the kind of guys you give your heart too. Far from it. The guys have been total Freddy’s, which is a nice way of saying…………NOT DATE-able AT ALL.
So, naturally, frustration sets in. Right? Wouldn’t you be frustrated waiting as patiently as you can for God to bring your mate to you?
This is such a CRUCIAL point for her. She can keep her standards high, refuse to settle for less than the best, trust God to provide….OR….like so many people in this boat, she could convince herself that God is holding out or is not interested and just lower her standards and give her heart to someone who will not fight for it and protect it.
Sadly, so, so many people choose the latter route. They slowly give up and let what may be “good” rob them of what’s actually “best.”
But this girl will not.
She went and bought John Eldredge’s phenomenal work on Men, “Wild at Heart”. She is reading and absorbing the wise words in that book about the Male heart and how God has designed male and female relationships to work. In just the few minutes we talked on the phone about it, I could tell the book had impacted her and given her new insights.
That is a girl who is, dare I say, INTENTIONAL about not falling into the trap the Enemy will set. She does not want to “get this wrong”. She will not let “what’s good rob her of what’s best.” And if she’s reading this, just know that I think that’s really awesome and that I am proud of her.
And just like Brad’s actions…it encourages and convicts me. Am I settling somewhere? How are my relationships? Am I going after what’s BEST?
Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
So, what about it people?
If I had to describe my desire to mature in my faith in one word………what word would I choose?
If YOU had to describe your desire to grow closer to God in one word….what word would you use?
Could you use the word Intentional?
“If we’ve only got one try…
We’ve only got one try!
If we’ve only got one life…
We’ve only got one life!
If time was never on our side
Then before I die, I want to burn out bright!”
Burn Out Bright—-Switchfoot
As always, thanks for reading, thanks for caring.
Comments, feedback, stories, and humor are always welcome.
Walking towards the Light from the cross of a King 
Awesome blog…. I know I could use a little “INTENTIONALITY” in my own faith… Good Word bro! Amy and Brad, good job, great example!