Intentionality


Jim and I are just back from a week-long trip to California… (where Jim once lived for 10 years 🤣 That’s a little tidbit he’ll throw out a couple of times a day - as if it’s like some sort of secret handshake that says, “I belong.”)…

But if you spend any time talking to Jim about California, he will tell you that if he had stayed there he’s not sure he’d be in the same space spiritually. 

I can see that.

California is a place where there are soooo many distractions.  The beach. The mountains. The wineries. The shopping. The restaurants. The traffic…. The list goes on and on.

And so often, I think, time with God gets pushed aside for all of the other “have tos” and “want tos” that are here.  It certainly was the case for me this week.

And so what I’ve realized is time with God requires intentionality.

But isn’t that the same for all of us?  Developing or cultivating or enjoying a relationship means we need to MAKE TIME for that relationship in our otherwise busy lives.

Jesus made sure he started His day with God.

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.” - Mark 1:35

And He reminded His disciples that if they were to produce “good fruit” they needed to maintain a connection.

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ‘I am the vine, you are the branches.’” - John 15:4-5

So, whether you’re in California, Michigan, Alabama or the Carolinas - remember, a relationship with God requires intentionality on our part.


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