There is something to be said for an individual who lives intentionally on a daily basis. There is something truly admirable about a person who lives a life full of passion, conviction, faith and love. Over the course of my life my father has constantly reminded me of this truth: “If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.”
Image via @athenagracee
This year my church’s theme is (drumroll please…) intentional living.
I know. It seems too perfect since I write for She’s Intentional, but truly it is our theme for 2015. It is because of this that I have been thinking quite a bit about intentional living on a personal level.
Perhaps our greatest life’s work is not to be well recognized or greatly admired, but instead to live a life that inspires others to live with purpose: to live intentionally.
One of the aspects our church is focusing on in 2015 is intentional Bible reading. Reading the Word of God is essential to being a Christian. Although this statement seems obvious, many times we neglect reading our Bibles because we are too busy. I’m guilty of this too. I think sometimes we forget how truly beautiful Biblical language is; I especially love reading the New Testament and being enriched by its passages. I have decided to fall in love with the Word all over again this year.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” {Hebrews 4:12}
My dad, who also happens to be my pastor, reminded me that Bible reading is the avenue God uses to speak directly to our hearts. God uses our Bible-reading time to redirect and repurpose us. I feel the closest to God while reading His Word because I know that He is using His word to directly speak to my heart, and that what I am reading in that moment is specifically to better me and make me more like him. This year our number-one priority should be to live intentionally. The more that we intentionally read the word of God and hide it in our hearts, the more He will intentionally show up in our lives.
This year, I have determined in my heart that I am going to read the Bible cover to cover. My goal is to be finished within the next few months. I have a list of all the books that I have read the past few months, and I will add to it until every book is accounted for. In order to become more like someone, you must study them, and the way by which they operate. In the same way, we must study Jesus and the things of Him in order to become a direct representation of Him and truly emulate Him.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” {2 Timothy 2:15}
This year in an endeavor to become the most that we can be, we must first fall in love with the message of our Creator. I desire to do more and be more this year. This year, I am starting with intentionally reading the word and applying it to my everyday life.