Intentionality
Reading of the Day 5/17/25: Ezra 6-8
Ezra 7:10: For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Intentionality can take us further than impulsivity ever will. That's because, impulsively, we usually do what's most comfortable. We usually do what takes the least effort. Bottom line, we usually do what our flesh wants us to do...but when we are intentional, we are in a "mind over matter" state. We continue to remind ourselves of the deeper meaning behind the hard thing we are doing, instead of becoming intimidated by the hard thing and impulsively giving up. This intentionality is what it takes to keep a relationship with God strong, and Ezra knew this very well. This Scripture highlights that in saying he prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD! He intentionally focused on God through His Word & prayer in order to be close to Him. And through this closeness, the fruit of it began to manifest in Ezra's life! When he sought after the law, he began to do it or practice it, as the next part of the verse says. Then, after that dimension of walking with The Lord, Ezra was able to pour out what he learned in teaching those statutes & judgments to those in Israel! He was essentially able to rebuild Israel from the ruins because of his intentional time with God! What situations could we see change as we intentionally draw near to God? What would happen if we sought after His Word instead of giving into the impulse of another comforting distraction? I am so much speaking to myself here! I need to remind myself that the most comfort is found through His Word & time with Him in worship & prayer. It may take discipline, but a true disciple can grow out of that! It is more comforting to set aside time with Him than feeding into the desires of our flesh. As I continue down "catch-up" lane with these posts, I pray The Lord helps me be more intentional in Jesus' Name! Matthew 26:41: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
written by
Gina Pietrzak
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