Intentionality - Tammy Tema

7:48 AM gsWomen 0 Comments

Isn't it interesting when there are times that you may hear a phrase or word or scripture that is continually repeated or put on your heart.  You ask yourself if God is trying to tell you something.

Well, lately the word "intentional" has flooded my thoughts.  God has continually reminded me to be intentional in all I do.  So I've been praying for the Holy Spirit to make me more aware of what He is doing around me and He definitely opens my eyes to see what I can so easily miss.

God impressed on my heart this scripture found in Colossians 4:2-6:

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

After much thought and prayer over these verses, I prayed that God would use me on my trip to California a few weeks ago in whatever way He saw fit.  On my flight there, I happened to sit next to an exchange student from France (actually a divine appointment).  After some conversation and watching the designated movie together, God put on my heart to read a book that could be a good conversation piece when the time was right.  After sporadic turbulence on the flight which terrified her, she asked me what I was reading.  God opened the door and let me share this book I was reading by Francine Rivers, a Christian author.  It was a great segue to sharing the peace and confidence I have in Jesus Christ despite any storms that come my way. I was able to share the gospel with her for over 30 minutes!  It was amazing the questions she asked and how God brought the answers through me.  She did not make a decision to follow Christ at that time, but a seed was planted!

I know if I had not prayed to be intentional on my trip I would have missed out on the blessing and opportunity to share with her.

God has purposefully placed us in our neighborhoods, jobs, schools and activities for a purpose.  Are you daily praying and being watchful to show and share the love of Jesus with your neighbors? Co-workers? Other moms? Widows? Strangers? Or are you too busy?

Are you fearful of what to say or don't feel you have enough wisdom?  Rest assured, God encourages us in James 1 to ask for wisdom and He will gladly give it and He also states in Ephesians 1:3 that we who are in Christ have been given everything we need, every spiritual blessing.  He will give you the words.  Are you fully trusting Him?

Is your conversation with others filled with salt and grace? Is it attracting others to desire what you have or is it a repellant?

Are you staying in your comfort zone or are you praying to seek those that need Jesus?

Please share your story of how you have been intentional or how God used you instrumentally in reaching someone around you. Let's encourage one another to be salt and light to a world that so desperately needs Jesus!

Love in Christ,
Tammy Tema