Recently I was moved by the psalmists resolve to live an intentional life in Psalm 101.
He doesn’t talk about what he feels like doing or not doing, he says what he will or won’t do. Here is what he determines he WILL do.
I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
I will praise you with songs.
I will be careful to live a blameless life –
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home.
I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
I will have nothing to do with them.
I will reject perverse ideas
and stay away from every evil.
I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
I will not endure conceit and pride.
I will search for faithful people
to be my companions.
Only those who are above reproach
will be allowed to serve me.
I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,
and liars will not stay in my presence.
My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
and free the city of the Lord from their grip.
In another place the psalmist prays, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:12.
Paul instructs us to “be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15.
How about you? Are you living in sync with your Creator and his purpose for you? Is your will aligned with His so that you are living purposefully? Or are your decisions based solely on what you feel?
The intentional life does not make decisions by “feeling like it” or “not feeling like it”. The intentional person orders his or her time, energy, and affections on what is important, what matters in the long run; not what is attractive at the moment.
Living intentionally starts by being aware that you have choices to make each and every day. Those choices have consequences and those consequences affect everything. They impact your mood, your health, your relationships, your career and your future.
As Moses decided, Choose Life, that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19).