With God’s perfect timing as I was thinking about what to write this week a friend gave me a suggestion. He said,
“Write about good friends being intentional, and investing in one another, and following through on plans so things do not stay stuck in the group chat.”
He and a good friend were spending a week at Disney, and as he said several times throughout the week to his friend,
“We are living a memory.”
It is his friend’s first time experiencing Disney. What a wonderful opportunity for them to bond even more, away from the hustle and bustle of usual life, and invest in their relationship.
My initial thought was that I wasn’t sure I could write about it from experience, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that I could relate personally. I might not have necessarily had the privilege of spending a week on vacation with a friend to deepen our relationship, but I can think of experiences of living with intentionality and investing in others. Do you see that in your life too?
A Google search for the definition of intentionality per Oxford Languages is: “the fact of being deliberate or purposive.”
Isn’t it important to live life with intentionality? And isn’t it equally important to live by investing in others?
I believe the proper order of intentionality and investing is to be…
with our relationship with God first
and with others second.
When we live with intentionality, isn’t it true that we are deliberate and purposeful about our goals and choices? We make an effort to live with purpose investing in others. As Christians, we want our actions, thoughts, and activities to reflect our goals of living life by honoring God and reflecting Jesus.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. –Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
How can we be intentional and invest in our relationship with God?
*Through reading Scripture often, if not daily.
*Taking time daily to be still with the Lord.
*Taking time to pray and seek God’s will.
*Attending meaningful church services.
*Singing songs of praise.
*Taking time to share our experiences with other believers.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. –Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
I believe that we live with intentionality and investing in our relationships with others when we…
…take time to visit a shut-in regularly.
…schedule time for coffee with a friend.
…buy flowers for a friend to brighten their day.
…attend a musical that a friend is participating in.
…go meet our child when they have an hour of spare time.
…check in routinely with a friend or relative to show you care.
Photo courtesy of BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
What are some benefits of living with intentionality and investing in our relationship with God and good friends?
*We draw closer to God and to our friends.
*We think about others more, making the world a better place.
*We build a community of believers.
*We shine God’s light in a sometimes dark world.
*We are in obedience to the greatest of commandments: to love God and others above all else.
*We have more peace and joy.
“The most important things are almost never urgent. That’s why it’s essential that we schedule them.” –Matthew Kelly
My pastor has mentioned this quote, which I believe is a great truth. With the busy lives that we live, especially during this holiday season, remember to take time for the most important things: relationships and scheduling time with God and others. Our lives impacting others are one of the greatest gifts. Make memories that last a lifetime.
Be encouraged this week to…
…work on making your relationship with God the most important.
…take one step to be intentional and invest in deepening your relationship with God.
…make one group chat idea come to fruition with a friend.
…schedule a get-together with someone so you can live a memory.
REFLECTION:
What is one way from the list above that you can be more intentional with your relationship with God?
We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. –1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NLT)
Can you think of a time when you were intentional and invested in a friend? What did you do? Please feel free to share in the comment section below. I would love to hear about your experience.
“Friendship is a wildly underrated medication.” –Anna Deavere Smith
