I've been thinking a bit about the times in our life when we might do things slightly more intentionally: particularly in relation to our faith in Jesus. As I've thought about it I was thinking back to my blog through last advent and the fact that in the run up to Christmas, especially once we're get into December, that it's perhaps a little easier to focus intentionally on all that Christmas means for us as as Christians, simply by virtue of the fact that reminders of it (albeit highly commercialised reminders) are all around us.
In Lent there isn't quite the same feeling: there isn't that same 'magical' feeling that often seems to accompany Christmas, and there certainly isn't the same level of awareness (shelves lined with Easter Eggs aside) that this is anything other than 'just another day'.
And yet now that we're over a week into Lent I would certainly say that I have found the discipline of fasting from something to be a helpful one. And one of the reasons for that is that it is reminding me of the importance of being intentional. Because, let's face it, we sometimes allow our feelings to play a huge role in deciding what we do: "I feel like doing it, so I'm going to do it..." And yet the irony is that so much of life actually has nothing to do with feelings at all: in other words there are things, perhaps even daily, which we do intentionally not because we always feel like doing them, but because we know that they are the right thing to do.
And for me the last week or so has been a good reminder of this: of the importance of intentionality. And (and again this might just be for me) one of the areas where I need to challenge myself most often in terms of being intentional is that of sharing my faith. Because it's so easy to go through day after day without putting ourselves in a position where it might even be a possibility. And then it's so easy, once we actually get into the position to share, to pull out and not say or do anything at all.
And yet as we look at Jesus we see intentionality personified: He knew His mission and he "resolutely [intentionally] set out for Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51).
I absolutely believe that at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus is to join Him in His ongoing mission to the world. Yes, there is more than just that: but this is central to being a follower of Christ. And for some that seems to come easier than others: but for all of us, wherever we fall in that, there is still the need for intentionality - to be ready at all times to give a reason for the hope that we have.
And so as we continue through Lent, whether for you it's giving something up or taking something up (and it's not too late to start!), I hope and pray that the intentionality of that act will remind you of the intentionality of our Lord: and that by the power of the Spirit we might step out and follow in His example.
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