So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
I Corinthians 10:31
Today, I ask the question, “what drives you?” What motivates you to face each day with intention and purpose? For many, the answer is as basic as awakening to a prearranged schedule (by one’s obligation to a job, school, etc.). But what if all schedules were suddenly halted? What if there was no prearranged obligation to awaken you? What would then become of your intention and purpose?
Consider two simple steps toward intentional living as a follower of Jesus: (1) surrender to God’s guidance for every moment; (2) glorify God in whatever you do.
(1) First, Proverbs 16:9 expresses the fundamental step of surrendering to God’s guidance for every moment:
“The mind of a man makes his plans, but the LORD directs his steps.”
Giving oneself daily to God’s guidance and purpose represents a foundational discipline for every Child of God. Although we possess the ability to dream, plan, organize, and implement, our ultimate focus should rest upon how God will direct our steps not just for a particular day or season of life, but for the present moment. Intentional living must begin with a surrender to God’s guidance for the moment (the step). The term “step” expresses that which is established. If we surrender our big plans to God’s sovereignty – not forgetting them nor disposing of them but considering them subordinate to what God would have us do in the moment – we will better know how His Spirit is presently directing us. God will establish our present moment according to His purpose and will. So, do you desire to practice intentional living in your life of faith? Don’t stop dreaming and making plans but keep them regularly surrendered to what God calls you to do “right now.” Awaken each day with the anticipation that God has a plan for you at this very moment. “Choose you this day” (Joshua 24:15), and “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16).
(2) A second step toward intentional living is expressed in I Corinthians 10:31, where our instruction is to “do all things for the glory of God.”
The context of this verse reflects a controversy in the early church over whether Christians should eat meat once used for idol sacrifices. Paul settled this dispute with the simple but significant principle for life: whatever you do, eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory. Each morning, regardless of predetermined schedules, our basic passion always determines direction. If our passion is to glorify God in all we do, decisions throughout the day have greater clarity. We no longer sit passively waiting for the grand door of opportunity to open. We begin to see everything as an opportunity to bring glory to God. To bring glory to God represents the desire to honor God – to make His glory evident in all things. I am always amazed at how God will empower the simplest tasks we offer Him, if our purpose is indeed to bring Him glory. When you awaken, do not sit idle, asking God to bring you an opportunity. The very breath in your body “is” the opportunity. Look at each task before you, each step and each conversation, as a way to bring God glory – to honor God by making Him evident. Intentional living comes from your heart’s passion. Be passionate about glorify God.
There are two significant ways to make certain we are pursuing God’s glory in all that we do. In Ephesians 5:1-2, we are given instruction that raises the highest standard:
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
One way to make certain we are glorifying God in all things (from Ephesians 5:1) is to imitate God. “Follow God’s example” comes from a Greek term that actually means “to imitate.” Imitate God?! What an overwhelming prospect! However, this Biblical idea of “imitate” can best be identified as a child imitating a parent. The idea in this sense is relational. In the Old Testament, God’s covenant people took their character – their moral cues, from God’s nature. An example of this is in Leviticus 19. Over fourteen times, God used the phrase, “I am the Lord,” immediately following specific moral codes He gave to His people. His nature became the foundation and standard for their moral responsibility. The call to imitate God represents a relational ethic: we as children strive to honor the Father in all things. A second way to make certain we are glorifying God (from Ephesians 5:2) is to walk as Jesus walked. This indicates that we love as Jesus loved, and we speak and serve others out of that love. This indicates that we reflect Jesus’ heart and passion for God and others in everything we do. This references a reflective ethic: we are to genuinely reflect our Lord and Savior. If we focus upon imitating our Heavenly Father, and walking as Jesus walked, we will indeed glorify God in all that we do.
So, intentional living! How does that sound? To live intentionally in our faith is to surrender to God’s guidance for each moment, and to glorify God in all we do by imitating God and walking as Jesus walked. With these two simple steps toward intentional living, our days will not be boring, routine, or rut-like. Instead, each step, task, conversation, and encounter will be fresh and new as we commit to using each moment to glorify God.
Blessings.
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Read Ephesians 5:1-17 for God’s instruction on redeeming every moment for Him.
