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| roommates- sisters- friends (Photo: Bree Ammerman) |
Intentional- This is one thought or conviction rooted from an
accumulation of many thoughts, conversations and prayers. As I talk with other Believers
ive been challenged to think through how the Spirit is revealing my lack of
intentionality in the way I act with others. With one sister we talked about
looking at Christ’s life because His actions are the very definition of being
intentional... He was so compassionate, perfectly selfless, and generous with
both physical and spiritual needs. The very heartbeat behind everything He said
and did was flawless love. Paul tells the Corinth church;
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1Cor11:1
)”
Imitate Christ… wow.
Christ’s intentional love was not comfortable.
Living 24/7 with believers (in a dorm) makes it easy to
brush off the necessity of loving each other. Tasks have taken over and become
the only agenda we have. What a dangerous place to be…my attitude says, “ I
like to see people when I want to and I put up a ‘busy’ wall when I don’t”. For
a while now I see a pattern of only talking or encouraging when I deem it of
importance and saying nothing if I am to ‘lazy’ or don’t care. No one is making
an effort to bless me so why should I bless others.
The point being made is I cannot love intentionally if I
am focused on me.
Love with faith. At the very end of Paul’s letter to the
Ephesian church he says these very powerful words:
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith,
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Grace be with all
who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Eph. 6:23-24)
What does it mean to love with faith? This faith is from
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; and it produces love in and through
us. When we submit to Christ in us it is His love that penetrates out. This is
the source of intentional love. This love does not disappoint and cause us hurt
or make us require something in return. Loving in faith is not easy but it is rewarding
as you learn to tap into the endless flow of Christ’s love toward everyone.
As Christ works in and through me it is becoming more and
more evident when I am being intentional and not...the peace of God begins to
lead my actions. This time away from scheduled classes and as work as come to
an end for the summer; every bit of my heart desires to serve the Lord; to not
be lazy or indulge in strictly selfish actions. Again and again I pray that the
Lord might push me out of my comfort zone and put me in places where I must
rely fully on Him to intentionally love and speak truth. I pray He continues to
bring me to a place where I am not comfortable but I am completely overcome
with His peace and leading.
Romans 12:9-16
Let love be
genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Love one another
with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not be slothful
in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the
needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who
persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those
who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony
with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be
wise in your own sight.
Is God’s story [the GOSPEL] WORTHY TO BE
INTENTIONAL about?
For I am not
ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Rom 1:16
