Conscious conviction
INTENTIONALITY…is a powerful display of conscious conviction. At least that’s how I see it. I am sure the dictionary would define it as a ‘state of being intentional.’ Those are always so helpful, so definitive and clarifying. Don’t you just love it! I would go further to even say that it means: I intend to do something, on purpose for a purpose.
Intend, intent, intentional all incorporate the whole essence of intentionality. We all have heard the expression: ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ It’s sorta akin to: ‘he/she has a lot of potential.’ But will they ever live up to it? So, will we men live up to our potential as a dad? ‘I certainly intend to,’ you say.
Kingdom minded
But I think it goes deeper than that. Intentionality is focused, has a plan, a goal in mind. Being the best kingdom-minded dad requires dedication. It is not a random process; ‘I’ll do that when I have time to get around to it.’ These are lives, souls that need your undivided attention. Do you ever stop to ponder over the awesome fact that God, in His infinite wisdom, chose you to be the father of the children He gave you? There was nothing random about that choice He made. It was with divine intentionality! Actually, before the foundation of the world, He ordained it. Scary!
Examine the gospel. God intentionally sent His Son Jesus to disciple you with His life and save you through His death. HE GAVE! He is calling you to give yourself in the same manner to your wife and children; to disciple them for the cause of Christ. No amount of money in the world can replace YOU. He has appointed you as the patriarch and high priest of your family. To fulfill this role, there has to be intentionality on your part.
Time is love
Time is love! What you impart to your children will go with them the rest of their lives. You can’t be with them continually, but what you instill in them will. That’s how you abide in their lives. It all starts with your relationship with your heavenly Father. Jesus made it clear. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me”(Jn. 15.4).
So, be intentional about securing your relationship with Him. Look what He wishes you to know and trust. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (v. 15.7). Prayerfully ask Him to fulfill His purposes for your wife and children through you in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Remember, He said all authority had been given to Him. Submit to this authority. Lay hold of it. In your own strength is a recipe for failure.
Would He trust His precious gift of children to you and then leave you to go it alone? These children, your wife; they are treasures to Him. He intended to entrust them to you, and He intends for you to succeed. Do something radically intentional; be the dad…on purpose! Right now; go to a quiet place, get on your knees and submit your fatherhood to Him with intentionality. It’s the start of any man’s highest calling.
