What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by?
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When I move from intellectually understanding or knowing God cares about me personally, to the application of this absolute truth, immediately something inside my being changes. The transformation seems elusive at times, and clear as day in other moments of my journey here.
When I begin my day with coffee, email, a walk with the dog, then browsing the news headlines… by the time I begin living, I’m a caffeine induced, conglomeration of thoughts and feelings, or anxious nerves trying to decide which way to go, or what to do next.
On the other hand, when I begin my day with Psalm 25:4 my whole life that particular day is a completely different story. Listen to the words of the psalmist, echoing the prayer of Moses from Exodus 33… “Make your ways known to me, LORD; teach me your paths.”
What I realize on those days when I intentionally invite God into my life, those days filled with their own list of trials or tribulations, joy or pain, grief or happiness… what I realize is that God doesn’t force me to listen to Him. He doesn’t force His will upon mine. What the Sovereign Creator of the universe does is wait patiently for me to ask for His guidance.
Then I realize, and hear, the prophetic nature of the psalmist words as they look forward to Jesus saying to His followers, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6
Jesus, God the Son, came here to do exactly what I’m asking. “Show me Your ways LORD.” In fact the only way I can truly know that I am in the will of God, is by trusting in God the Father, who sent God the Son. On top of a mountain, when the Glory and Majesty of Jesus was revealed in just a glimpse, the voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5
So I listen to Jesus and I hear Him say, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26
These Scriptures bring clarity to how I am commanded to live intentionally. I was created to be a mirror, reflecting only the glory of God in all that I do. The only way to do this is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, since He is the only Way to Life. When I trust in God the Son, He instills inside me God the Holy Spirit as my guide for daily living.
The more I ask God to teach me, lead me, guide me… the more God the Holy Spirit can use me to reflect the Glory of Jesus! Those days when I’m more consumed in my own thoughts and ways and means, God the Holy Spirit waits patiently for me to ask for His help. When I do He helps me. When I don’t, He waits. And waits. And waits.
Living intentionally doesn’t happen by accident. I have to choose it. So do you.
What is your choice today?
