~Doug Wilson
One emerging
buzz word these days is Intentionality! I hear it especially from mothers
raising young children who have dedicated their lives to avoid “chance" philosophies, “momentary" lapses in quality time and "lack" of character
training. They want to be intentional in their mothering,
not haphazardly raising the next generation…right on Girls!
Intentionality! It’s a fabulous word, used to set a standard
for those in the trenches of any complex stage of life. The word connotes being awake, aware and
attentive.
Even
at my stage of life, over 60, intentionality can be used to spur me on to being
a better me, better wife, friend, mother, more godly and Christ like. Contemplating how to apply intentionality
into my life, I thought back to a conversation with my dear Viking. For some reason we were on the subject of sleep, those hours when we are completely unintentional and comatose.
He
was amazed at how out of control we are every night as we lay in bed, sleeping
away, unaware of our surroundings and lost in dream land. I’m reminded him how often I find him passed
out in a chair on the weekends, in his office kingsize lazyboy, in front of a golf game on TV or
outside on the porch…Viking man is comatose frequently. We
came to the conclusion that much of our life is spent being unaware of all the
wonderful blessings, full protection and invisible defense hovering over us
at all times.
I
wonder if at times we appear comatose to God, even in our intentionality. Even when we are wide awake and trying to be
intentional in our life, are we really blinded and in a sleepy state, unaware
of God’s grace and mercy being poured out on us. I pray not.
Thankfully,
the Lord is intentional even when we are comatose.
I lift up my eyes to the
mountains—
where does my help come from?
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm —
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121