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The Spiritual Practice of Being Intentional

November 7, 2013 By Jean Wise

Intentional
 
Ever have a word haunt you? 
It peeks around the corner when you least expect it. Someone uses it in a sentence, a friend over coffee brings it up, then you read about this word in 14 gazillion blogs. 
Like Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory who repeatedly knocks on his neighbor’s door saying her name three times, sometimes a word beats over and over again on my heart.
Its voice is persistent and it lingers waiting for me to notice.
Sometimes the word isn’t bolded, but hidden among other friends. It teases you, calls your name until you finally say, “ok what am I to learn about you?”

Intentional.

 “Intentional” has tackled and seized my attention. What does this word mean and what is it telling me?
Intentional come from Latin meaning a stretching out, straining, exertion, effort; attention, to turn one’s attention. The middle of the 14th century Old French word of  entencion implies “stretching, intensity, will, thought.”  To many of us it means being deliberate.
Synonyms include conscious, intended, knowing, purposeful, set, voluntary and willful.  These certainly add a perspective to this lingering word.
Interesting the reference to a stretching out – Stretch is my word of the year. What a sense of humor God has to bring the word he gave me 11 months ago in a new way to rekindle my contemplation of that word this year.
I have facilitated several groups this fall discussing spiritual practices and one of my main points is to be intentional about nurturing our spirituality. 
Spiritual practices don’t force God to do anything. He is near us no matter what. He is in control, not what we do. But we can be intentionally in certain practices or spiritual habits to slow us down, to open our hearts more to God.
Intentional reminds me to stretch forth my hands towards God. To turn my attention to his words and love in my life. To lean in, relying only on him.
I bought this little statue pictured above in Germany in 2006.  This year she sits forefront on my desk, whispering lean in. Lean into me.  My spiritual director asked me months ago what did I think this meant. I am still learning, pondering, listening to this question but am realizing that leaning inward to God, I am vulnerable.  I have to rely on his strength, not my own and keep my balance by focusing on him.   
Am I living intentionally? Pondering this word reminded me to reread my journal – I call it harvesting my journal – what a journey 2013 has been. And yes God has traveled with me, leading me, stretching me as I lean on him intentionally.
Maybe it isn’t a word or one word, but The Word peeking around the corner and popping up in conversations. Maybe I am finally recognizing the true Big Bang Theory Creator knocking on the door of my heart, seeking my company. God’s intentional, relentless, unconditional and unending love is calling.   Jeanie, lean in intentionally.
Have you even had a word haunt you? What did you learn?

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Filed Under: spiritual lessons, spiritual practices

Comments

  1. blankJean Wise says

    November 10, 2013 at 2:46 am

    will check it out….

  2. blankHugmomma says

    November 10, 2013 at 1:42 am

    My “epic” story 🙂 Hope you enjoy…http://www.hugmomma.com/2013/11/you-are-epic-lesson-20-of-momentum.html

  3. blankJean Wise says

    November 9, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    click on your link to read what you wrote about grace and lost my comment back to you here. Grace is such a powerful amazing word – I could chew on that the rest of my life. I love the descriptive list you made as you explored its meaning. I may have to try to do something like that with my word – stretch – would be a great year end prayer filled project.

  4. blankJean Wise says

    November 9, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    wow Epic is a strong word. What have you learned?

  5. blankJean Wise says

    November 9, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    I know this word has been digging into my heart too and giving me so much to ponder and pray about. Maybe my word for next year though I am also hearing the word – discover. Blessings to you too. Sure glad we have connected.

  6. blankNancy Ruegg says

    November 8, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    Love this, Jean. Intentionally turning our attention to God OFTEN throughout each day makes a huge difference in our relationship with him, and with our attitudes.

    The word that keeps grabbing my attention is “grace.” It began when I wondered, “Just what ARE the riches of God’s grace” (Eph. 1:8)? I started gathering verses about those riches–the list includes 47 so far! Reading through the list fills my heart with gratitude, that God would bless us with SO much goodness! I wrote about those verses back in June:

    http://nancyaruegg.com/2013/06/24/undeserved-goodness-part-1/

    • blankJean Wise says

      November 9, 2013 at 9:41 am

      click on your link to read what you wrote about grace and lost my comment back to you here. Grace is such a powerful amazing word – I could chew on that the rest of my life. I love the descriptive list you made as you explored its meaning. I may have to try to do something like that with my word – stretch – would be a great year end prayer filled project.

  7. blankCeil says

    November 8, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    Hi Jean! What a sweet little statue! I am sure it gives you all kinds of reasons to meditate. I was thinking when I saw it, “I would love to be that hand to someone. Be the shelter and comfort to another soul.”

    But that really is God’s place, I should relax and lean in, just like you are learning. I think in my desire to help, I might be skipping my own ‘nurture time’. And that’s sad.

    Thank you for a good reason to slow down and lean in!
    Ceil

  8. blankHugmomma says

    November 7, 2013 at 10:07 pm

    My word is “epic”. 🙂 Isn’t it neat how he uniquely works with us… yet in similar ways?

  9. blankHugmomma says

    November 7, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    My word is “epic”. 🙂 Isn’t it neat how he uniquely works with us… yet in similar ways?

    • blankJean Wise says

      November 9, 2013 at 9:36 am

      wow Epic is a strong word. What have you learned?

      • blankHugmomma says

        November 9, 2013 at 8:42 pm

        My “epic” story 🙂 Hope you enjoy…http://www.hugmomma.com/2013/11/you-are-epic-lesson-20-of-momentum.html

        • blankJean Wise says

          November 9, 2013 at 9:46 pm

          will check it out….

  10. blankJViola79 says

    November 7, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Jean – this gives so much to think on! So often we think our spiritual life will just happen as if by accident. But I am learning, as I grow older, it is when I deliberately (or intentionally) set time aside for Him, to be with Him, in His Word – that my spiritual life grows. May the word intentional continue to haunt us all 🙂 Blessings!

  11. blankJViola79 says

    November 7, 2013 at 8:17 am

    Jean – this gives so much to think on! So often we think our spiritual life will just happen as if by accident. But I am learning, as I grow older, it is when I deliberately (or intentionally) set time aside for Him, to be with Him, in His Word – that my spiritual life grows. May the word intentional continue to haunt us all 🙂 Blessings!

    • blankJean Wise says

      November 9, 2013 at 9:36 am

      I know this word has been digging into my heart too and giving me so much to ponder and pray about. Maybe my word for next year though I am also hearing the word – discover. Blessings to you too. Sure glad we have connected.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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