A few weeks ago as I was driving my car listening to the Christian radio station, I was reminded of something I heard on the radio last year around the New Year. Two of the DJ’s were asking the listeners to seek God for one word that would define their New Year or, in other words, a one-word New Year’s resolution. It could be something like surrender, or joy, or forgiving. This one word would affect every area of their life. I thought that was a really great idea, but never actually did it. However, this year, as I was remembering the radio conversation, a word immediately came to my mind. I didn’t even have to ask God for one! The Holy Spirit just dropped it right in my head. And that word is intentional.
Those of you who know me are not really surprised that this would be the word the Holy Spirit would gently drop in my heart. I am not really an organized person (shocker, I know). I am definitely not a driven person, and my personality is such that I am a great optimist knowing that things will be just fine and eventually turn out for the best. This is a great trait to have, I know!! But sometimes you can’t just close your eyes, cross yourfingers, and hope for the best! You have to have a plan and diligently work at that plan to get the best results.
In Proverbs 21:5, it says, “Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind”.
This past year I have had a lot of hurrying and scurrying. Some of it couldn’t be helped, but I have realized that some of it could. My goal this year is to be more intentional with everything from my schedule, to my time with God, to raising my kids. I’m not just talking about having good intentions. I have those all the time. And as Ross reminded us on Sunday, “the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.” No, I’m talking about putting those good intentions to action, which is living intentionally.
Ephesians 5:16 and 17 says, “ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” This is my verse for my new decision to live intentionally. I want to make the most of every opportunity and to know exactly what God wants me to do. I want to live more purposefully so that I can do great things for God and my family, not just good or ok things. The key to achieving this starts with being more intentional about the time I spend with my Heavenly Father. Oh I spend time with Him, and I love it! But now, in this New Year, I feel God calling me to more. And I want to answer that call! Not out of a sense of obligation, but because of my great love for Him!
Living intentionally will not be an easy task for an unorganized mom of 5. But, thankfully, I do not have to do it on my own! The Holy Spirit will be walking with me every step of the way. For with God nothing is impossible!
How about you? If you asked the Lord to give you one word that He wanted you to work on this year, what would it be? Do you need to be full of more joy, peace, hope, patience, humility? Or, maybe, you are like me and need to work on being a little more intentional in how you live your life? Whatever the case may be, go ahead, ask Him. I know He will answer. And let’s walk this journey of becoming more like Christ together in this New Year.
Love to you all,
Aimee
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Aimee has sung and led worship with her husband, Ross Parsley, in weekend services and also for women’s ministries & special events. She’s been a small group leader for years as well as a speaker at women’s retreats & conferences. However, her greatest joy and achievement in life is being a loving wife to her husband and a caring mom to her 5 beautiful kids: Zachary, Taylor, Grace, Ethan and Owen.
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Great encouragement Aimee!!! Thanks for being obedient and being a great example for other women to follow!! Love ya!!!
I’m with you, Aimee. God said my word was TRUST. I guess my habit of worrying isn’t all that glorifying to a good God who cares and is able. Ouch!
Hey Aimee,
I completely agree with you Aimee. Being intentional actually will help us to change the manner in which we form our priorities because to complete that priority list, we need to be intentional in doing it! I am really working on what Pastor Ross said about First things First. Its so true because it actually makes your day better because you formed somewhat of a foundation for it! Praise Jesus! Love you!
My word that GOD is giving me for this year I know has hit me hard lately is number ONE TRUSTING HIm to have control whitch we all know thats really hard at times, that I do know is trusting him in his best in the transition of Stepping down from choir who knows how long. new life choir for those reading my post all yea old past new lifers , Im going on 15 yrs now aimee, cant believe it already and its time to step down tottally. also the lords words have grown louder on me breaking off myself the spirt of miss understanding and the spirit of self worth amen to all people who may be getting the same word more then me I believe. also the part of taking place in forgiving a friend who has sent miss worded text non stop the past last 4 mons and satans eating a live over it , I have forgiven her wth my whole heart but need to trust that she will stop now love jade wilson. also im very encourged by the fact we need to be open to many people were ever we are to share christ not just by doing huge community services or shows but being really open to God s heart in what his saying to me and others in the process to get better at the willing to listen to others better then last year. I want to work on building up myself more in a possitive way and being more perpared for satans attack of self worth and trad it with what Im worth in chirst and find out ways to encourge myself more possitve reinforcement this year of 2012 and loving myself and forgiving mysef better, God Gave me a vision of satan putting a neckless on my neck that says queen of miss understaning thats who you are and thats who you will continue to be for the rest of your life and your not worthy, god Said I want to break that chain and neckless that satan put there and change your name to queen of understanding and worth value to me jade. that was a wake up call and I got so made the other night I felf satan really grip me hard like never before . so My goal is to love and forgive and find who I really am in christ and greater measure then ever in my life. this has been eatting me for 30 years since the curse of my disability begain and my mom and dad talked about what doctors whould discourage me about who I need to be because of this problem or that problem and meds for this meds for that I m at a place were I know my number one meds before others disided is GOD . love jade sorry letter so long