*Update: Hey girls! Because I promised it and because a few have asked, here is the link to the podcast from last Sunday, “Kingdom Come”. Be blessed!
Girls, would someone explain to me how it is already July 8th? We are now into the second half of the year. Is it just me, or does it feel like 2013 just started? I always feel like I’m just starting to get a hold of a year when it slips through unnoticed and wham, another year has come and gone. In fact, July 4th always tries to throw me into a tailspin, because I know I have as much time from now until the end of the year, as I did from then to the beginning of the year. Does that even make sense? Sheesh. Basically, I’m either depressed or elated depending on how the year is going thus far based on what I thought it would look like, or what I wanted it to look like. Seriously, are you following? I think I’ve confused myself.
Which is what brings me to this post.
Do you remember at the beginning of the year when I tried, not so gracefully, to recap Passion 2013? If you don’t, here’s the post. (Listen, I realize it’s been six months since that post and it’s something I can barely even remember.) Anyway, what I haven’t forgotten that I think of nearly everyday is what Louie Giglio challenged us with the last day of Passion, and then a few days later, what my pastor Curtis challenged us with the first Sunday of the year.
Would you allow me to remind us all? (I’m not a fan of the bullet-point in a blog post, but I will use if necessary. Grin.)
1) Louie asked us, after throwing the Word down on Isaiah 61, “If THIS is the year of the Lord’s favor, what would you like? What would you ask for?”
2) Then Curtis Jones, my pastor, that following Sunday after boldly proclaiming Ephesians 3:20 challenged us that “2013 was the year of getting things done. Why? Because He is able, you are able according to the Spirit and after all, God gets the glory.”
Both to which I so boldly exclaimed, “Amen!” and went along with my day. However, my amen wasn’t a light one, as I knew exactly what it was I needed to get done this year. I knew exactly what I would ask the Lord’s favor over. But after all, Â knowing and actually doing are two completely different things. One takes intention, the other takes boldness and action.
I’m not saying I’ve excelled in this, but I can tell you I’ve made progress, and I hope I know some people who could testify to that. I mean, let’s be honest, one simple thing was getting my wisdom teeth removed after putting it off for FOREVER, and boom, just like that, they’re gone. And I survived. I realize that’s a really silly example, but I’m so proud of myself for not letting fear take over again! Of course, there are some other action items and conversations I’ve had, but that’s another post for another day.
So why am I even bringing this up?
Because all last week I was reminded that if this was the year of getting things done, I had six months left to do the work. At least the work for 2013.
And then I went to church. And boom. Curtis, our beloved pastor, nailed it. I think I told him once before that it’s one thing to hear a message on Sunday, feel a little conviction from the Spirit and go on with your day. But it’s another thing when you leave church and know what you need to do, without a Spirit of condemnation, but one of grace. That’s a beautiful thing. To me, that’s what yesterday felt like. Convicting enough without condemnation to do the thing.
Why? Because, “Intention isn’t valued in the Kingdom of God. Obedience is.”
“Intention is not the same as faithfulness.”
Thank you, Curtis Jones, for those nuggets. (If you’re curious where this comes from, read about the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:28 – 32. And I promise that when the podcast is up, I’ll link it here so you can take a listen if you so desire. I think I have permission to do that, but I’ll ask. For goodness sake, you might as well hear it from him instead of me giving you just some nuggets.I might as well go ahead and thank him for this post, too. After all, I feel like he wrote it. Laughing.)
As the old saying goes, we can talk the talk, but are we walking the walk?
Can we all just be honest and admit that we have a lot of good intentions? We intend to do a lot of good things. Even since January, we’ve all had a lot of good intentions about getting things done. But have we done them? I’m not saying obedience and boldness is easy, quite the contrary, actually. But in 100 years, our fruit will be the only thing that matters. So let’s bear a little fruit, y’all.
We have six months to do the thing. Time isn’t out yet. And praise God our God is a God of patience, compassion, slow to anger, rich in mercy and abounding in steadfast love. But let’s just ask ourselves what we’ve put off thus far? Your God is able, Sister. Let’s turn our intention into action. The longer we all delay, I promise you, the harder is gets!
I love y’all. I’m on this road WITH you.
Remember, it’s going to be a GOOD year. Grin.
“You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty.” Psalm 65:11 (HCSB)
Girl! This is a serious Word! Thank you for a much needed reminder! Blessings!
“Intention isn’t valued in the Kingdom of God. Obedience is.”
“Intention is not the same as faithfulness.”
As someone a master of good intentions but superior in procrastination… OUCH!
Good word… thanks.
Thank you Lindsee for making us accountable. It can be hard to see that indeed we need each other to push ourselves beyond words and into deeds.
I looked over my challenges that I accepted when you first posted the Passion 2013 blog entry.
-More Kindess.
-Acknowledge God’s closeness.
-Accept God has immeasurably more.
-Proclaim this year as the Lord’s Favor.
Can I say this is a on-going life challenge. I think yes I have moved from where I was, but still have much work ahead to grow and be accomplished.
-What would I ask GOD for?
-What will bear fruit and last?
2 questions I think I am still asking myself today…
Hoping that out of this reminder, and with self examination, that GOD be Glorified in my efforts – work done and work yet to be done.
Dear Lindsee,
What a great post today. Obedience and accountability are so important in my walk with Jesus. I am praying and asking God to help me prioritize my daily tasks according to “His Will,” as one of my visions for myself in 2013. I need a lot of help from God in this area. God has been sooooooooooo faithful to me. So, in turn I need to be faithful, obedient and accountable to Him! The SSMT is one of my 2013 endeavors. Praise Be to God, Our Heavenly Father!
Gay Beck, Plain City, OH
“Let’s turn our intention into action.” Amen. I love this. Thank you for sharing. I have a list of summer resolutions that I’m hoping to accomplish in the next two months – but in order to do that I have to turn my intention into action! God bless 🙂
I can relate. I’m a teacher so I’ve got summer’s off from the weekly classroom routine. But there is so much I want to do – I asked God to allow me to use my “free time” to serve and witness for His kingdom. I can’t just say I want to do though, I have to actively seek out these opportunities!
I LOVED the 1/2 way reminder!!
It’s like a marathon – when someone hands you get a fresh drink – just when you weren’t expecting it!
(Not that I’ve ever run a marathon!)
Thanks, Lindsee ~
oooh I equally really like AND really dislike this post. haha! what i mean is that this post was very timely & is just another small nudge/conviction. and like you said, one without condemnation. it’s the best worst feeling ever…if that makes any sense!
while i totally understand that intending to do something and actually doing it are two very different things, i do want to point out that intention and action must go hand-in-hand. when we think of action we sometimes forget to seek God first, or at best we act & then ask God to bless our actions. intention is an aim that guides an action. therefore our aim should be to seek God and HIS plans for action and then obey, not just in willingness but follow-through. just a thought. (:
That is a great thought, Sister. Thanks for sharing!
Exactly what I needed today!! Thank you so much for this timely post. May God be glorified!
Its funny this post pops up today.
Today I was making a bunch of Dr appointments that have been needing to do but I’ve dreaded doing for a bunch of reasons. Making the appointments made me feel like I accomplished something that needed to be done. Glad to read this post. It echos what I’ve been reading, feeling, and needing to “hear”. I’ll be definitely writing down these nuggets for rereading later. Thank you for posting 🙂
Our Father admonishes us in His Word to spur one another on to good works. You did that today for us. Thank you. May we each be iron…sharpening one another to look more like Jesus.
I love this. Thank you for the challenge! My husband and I have been in a season the past month and a half of one major crisis after another and it’s been intense, but it’s also spurred us to action, so we are on a roll of getting things done … and it feels good! We can really see God working powerfully through it all.
And I know what you mean about something like wisdom teeth–finally getting it over with after putting it off forever feels good and it no longer nags you.
Preach it, sister! Good Word =)
Love it “Intention isn’t valued in the Kingdom of God, obedience is” what a statement. totally spoke to me, thanks
Janna’s quotes from your post are exactly what our team needs to hear. We are in our 8th year of providing community Bible study. We’ve grown from 8 women/1 class to multiple women’s classes, a men’s class and a couple’s class. We are still excited but tired. I will use your post at our meeting tonight. Thank you for sharing the seed that was planted in your heart
“Intention isn’t valued in the Kingdom of God. Obedience is.”
“Intention is not the same as faithfulness.”
Beckie, I know how how you ladies have worked and all the prayer that you have placed in planning for Bible Study. You all are having a great impact on the kingdom in your community. Way to Go! God is working. He is using you.
Very inspiring! A much needed word of encouragement.
Thanks, Lindsee.
Needed that…. How fear holds me back. It’s like a web going round and round…
Good intentions- enthusiasm- effort- struggle- frustration- fear- frozen….
Lord help me (us) break that cycle and do what You have called us to do.
It’s the fear that freezes me too, Sister. Press on! He is with you!
I’m glad the Lord prompted you to post this, Lindsee Girl. “Why? Because, “Intention isn’t valued in the Kingdom of God. Obedience is.”“Intention is not the same as faithfulness.”’ I need to hear that.
Thank you for the reminder Lindsee, its so easy to fall asleep without realizing it. Even when you are awake in other areas of your life, the little or big dreams God plants in our hearts can get pushed aside when they take longer to come to fruition than we would like. Its not that we forget them, its that we allow ourselves to justify letting them go because maybe we didn’t really hear from God. But then we are awoken by something like this post and look back at how many times He has confirmed it! Thanks for the wake up call! It really will be a GOOD year when we stay awake and press into His plan. <3
Thanks for this fab reminder Lindsee. You’re such a blessing to our community of siestas. It is so easy to procrastinate a whole year away and look back and think, “Well I did a lot but what did I actually accomplish?” Mmm…I needed your very helpful nudge to keep reassessing and stay motivated.
Girl, I need the accountability just as much. Thankful the Lord reminded me! Blessings to you!
Lindsee, I am finally getting a book published that I wrote in 2007 on surviving hardships! Yahoo! And it took all those years for me to get the grammar corrected! Ha!
Praise God, Shelli! May it bear MUCH fruit in the hands it’s placed in.
Intention is not the same as faithfulness.
That’s a WORD. We don’t sing, “Great is thy intention” No. We do not. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
“great is thy intention”. love it!
Love this. 🙂 Thanks for that thought. God is faithful not well intentioned.
I love this too- I’m going to think of that every time I sing the hymn.
UHM, I don’t often get to read your blog, but just felt too today and IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED TO HEAR.. Amen Amen!! Super blessed!
ooppss. me again! Is there a link for Pastor Curtis’s podcast, I couldn’t pull it up via itunes?? THANK YOU!
Hey Lindsay! I’ll post a link in the blog when I know it’s up. Should be soon!
God always sends you what you need when you need it. I am struggling mightily in this area and have been for 2 years now since my husband and I separated and ultimately divorced.
I turn 50 in March 2014 and I made a vow to spend 2013 getting things out of my life that no longer belong there and increasing those things that do. This could be something as simple as clearing out my panty drawer or as difficult as letting go of a relationship to spending more concentrated time in the Word to taking forced down time.
I’m not sure how it got to be July either as I know for a fact it was Christmas just last week! I’m sure of it! But, I’m nowhere near where I need to be, so thank you for that nicely planted foot in my backside.
Thanks. I like the reminder. Its hard to properly evaluate. But social media makes work–real work hard. We talk about what we’re going to do and everybody high fives over the computer and we go on with our lives. Seems to me. But I sure do try to get work done. Appreciate this word.
1. When I focus on my weakness I am paralyzed to move forward. All I can think about is what I lack and why I can’t do something. But when I focus on His strength, suddenly I am free to move where He wants. His resources are limitless, so there is nothing to hold me back.
2. When you misdirect credit, it usually leads to misplaced trust, because you are placing your trust in a person for their abilities, when God was the one behind it. In the future when that person falls below your expectations you don’t trust them anymore, when in reality it was never them to begin with.
3. Out of the choices, I chose ‘He knows me, understands my weaknesses, and is patient with my uncertainties. I have so many doubts in this season, that I don’t even know where to begin, but I do trust He will walk me through them.
4. When I was really sick, I never doubted it was His will to heal me. But I greatly struggled with when and how He would heal me. I also had a firm faith that He loved me and wanted what was best for me.
Wow such a EXCELLENT reminder – thank you – I forwarded it on to my weight loss group. It’s not the only place I have some unmet goals but it’s up there in the top 10. Thanks for the word I needed in just this time.
Would love to hear the podcast, thanks Beth!
Hi Cyndi! When the podcast is available, I’ll be sure to post it at the top of the blog. Thanks!
Lindsee, thank you for this post. I’m so glad you shared. I NEEDED to hear this. I too, noted the shift in the year- it’s winding down and I was starting to feel discouraged. But your communication of God’s truths helped me to get my focus back on where it’s supposed to be. Thanks a bunch 🙂
p.s. Lindsee, getting your wisdom teeth out is totally a big deal! In the process of pressing forward, we gotta celebrate the victories!
That made me smile, Melissa! I completely agree. Blessings to you! 🙂
I am working on my obedience.
Thanks for this.
Yeah, I started out well, too. And I was doing the thing and then one day I decided I was done. I didn’t want to work at my sobriety anymore. I didn’t want to do anything to try to improve my life and I really had no intention of drinking. I just didn’t want to do anything else either. After all, what was the point? I’d tried recovery many times over and hadn’t succeeded. Why would I now? Things weren’t going that great and I’d worked my tail off for 6 months and for what? Sure I was sober, but my life wasn’t getting any better like they said it would. Wasn’t really planning on drinking, but by the end of that day I was. I was really hoping 2013 was going to be the one year that at the beginning of the next I was going to be able to say that I had gone all of 2013 without putting a single drink into my body. It would’ve been the first time I could honestly say that about any year since I took my first drink that trapped me in an addiction of monumental proportions when I was 16 years old. I came to Christ in those years, still couldn’t stop drinking. Did bible studies. Still couldn’t stop drinking. Did Celebrate Recovery. Still couldn’t stop drinking. My longest run happened when I got to AA and it was working. Just not fast enough for this perfectionist alcoholic to be happy with, so I said forget it and gave up. I’m really good at giving up on myself and I wish I’d learn how not to do that. All I know to do is pick myself up, dust myself off, and take another stab at it. That’s what I’m doing now and I hope I can keep it up. But I get really frustrated with myself. I hope you all as well as my recovery groups can stand me while I struggle through things and try not to turn to my old vice, King Alcohol.