In Scripture, we find this biblical exhortation: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17 ESV).
This verse speaks of being intentional with every facet of our lives. Whatever you do, in word or deed gives parameters with very little left outside of them. When we consider that what we do and say is an overflow of what we think in our head and hold dear in our heart, there is nothing that is outside of this charge: do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
To be intentional requires intent.
As Jesus’ followers who were given a mission from the Head of the body we are a part of, we are commanded by Scripture to be intentional in our lives. We are commanded to seek first His kingdom, and we are given the top priorities of that kingdom: love God with all that we are (and love others as ourselves) and make disciples in whatever context we find ourselves in. This may be an obvious statement, yet it should be clearly noted: to be intentional requires intent.
Being intentional is not just nice-sounding rhetoric that once we’ve given assent to this biblical mandate, it allows us to feel good about ourselves and move on, assuming it’s taking place. Being intentional requires defining our intent, ruthlessly assessing whether our current lifestyles and relationships allow us to fulfill that intent, repenting of those things that are standing in the way, and pursuing a relationship with the Lord Jesus with a single-minded focus. Surely nothing can be done in the name of the Lord Jesus if we do not know the Lord Jesus!
At least two questions come to my mind when thinking about this. First, am I living my life with intent? Unfortunately, it is far too easy to step into the hamster wheel of life, be consumed with the busyness it brings, move from one scene to another, and forget that all of this is temporary. Not only is it temporary, but it is stunningly fleeting in light of eternity. According to Ephesians 2:10, I have a purpose for being here on this earth, and so do you! If God has an intent for each of us, then how sad for us if we fail to realize that, or to walk in that. Second, if I am living intentionally, do I have the correct, God-honoring intent? Is my aim to secure a nice life for me and my family? Is my aim to be successful in my career or in the hobbies I’m pursuing? Is my aim to have a good reputation among my peers and gain their respect? Is my aim to leave a financial legacy for those coming behind me? Is my aim to raise moral, well-behaved children?
I trust you can see that my questions are not highlighting things that are necessarily wrong in and of themselves. But once again appealing to the temporary nature of this life and this earth we call home, we must keep in mind Jesus’ exhortation to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). Somehow our intentional living, our doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus is to convert the words and actions of our daily lives into the eternal fruit of more souls in glory, worshiping their Creator.
No doubt there are countless applications of what it means to live intentionally, and to list any is to surely miss something important. If you want some practical instruction on this topic, I would suggest reading the surrounding context of our verse in Colossians 3. We can find opportunities for being intentional with internal things inside of us, as well as being intentional with external relationships around us. Jim Elliot, an American missionary killed in Ecuador in 1956, wrote in his journal this quote: “Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” May our love for Jesus spur us on to being intentional in everything we do!
Photo credit: Ai-generated
