Daily intentionality in following Jesus

Following Jesus calls for intentionality. Following Jesus daily calls for daily intentionality.

Of course, you might say. I've got that, you might be thinking. Yet, how often do you suddenly realize hours into your day you have not been purposeful about yielding or offering yourself to your Master. It can happen to me if I'm not careful in the face of deadlines.

Or is it your habit to dive into each day without this intentionality and thereby find yourself battered back and forth by whatever comes your way? You live a life of constant reaction without any deliberate starting point of saying, "Yes," once again to Jesus.

We find the intentionality of Christian discipleship depicted in Scripture. For instance:

"And [Jesus] was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me'" (Luke 9:23).

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship" (Romans 12:1).

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4).

These verses and more in God's Word demonstrate a deliberate act by God's grace is called for in following Christ. It always involves saying, "Yes," to Jesus and His claim on our lives. His claim also usually involves purposing to live with others in Christ-like ways.

These and other passages like them can guide us in intentionally submitting to Christ and His will daily. Following Jesus is not just repeating words. The words represent a reality we are to embrace, however.

It may be some days in our hectic schedules we seem to have little time. But taking this purposeful step in prayer can be done when rising, when driving, when commuting, when arriving at work, when preparing to take that first bite or drink.

Of course, following Jesus means saying, "Yes," to Him multiple times during a day in response to the thoughts and temptations that invade our minds or hearts, as well as the words and actions that come from others. But before they come our way, it is important that we take the intentional step of giving ourselves to the One who gave Himself for us.

Let's all be intentional daily from the start in following Jesus.

-- Photo by Olivia Snow on Unsplash