Recently my family and friends challenged ourselves to a 30 day water challenge requiring us to drink at least one gallon (128oz) of water everyday. During the 30 day challenge each person is required to document the changes felt physically and mentally as well as check in with one another every couple days.
As I filled my 32oz water bottle on day 1 of the challenge I thought, “Whoa, this is going to be interesting” knowing that I would have to fill up my water bottle up three more times by the end of the day to meet the required one gallon challenge.
As the first few days passed I easily surpassed the one gallon requirement making it to 150oz one day! I thought to myself, “why is it so easy to drink so much water?” Something I once dreaded was coming with such ease. I can remember days barely drinking one small Ozarka water bottle and now I was drinking enough for a football team! Why? How?
Two words: Being Intentional
I intentionally drank 32oz of water before starting my day. I made sure to refill my 32oz water bottle so that I could drink it in the car on the way to the office. I drank another two 32oz for lunch and dinner. By the time 8:00pm rolled around I had easily met or exceed my goal! All from simply being intentional.
What if we as believers used that same amount of energy and effort with our relationship with Christ? If we planned out our day to include Him as much as possible just as I did with my water schedule. As the body of Christ we have become dangerously passive with our walk with Christ.
We pray consistently inconsistent (typically when we need something in the form of finances or health). We have a great one hour devotion with Christ one day out of the week and think that gives us our gold star sticker until the next week.
No wonder Satan is running loose in our homes! Our lives have become a reflection of laziness with God.
Being intentional about our relationship with Christ is about actively walking this life out. It is not about praying for holiness. It is about being holy, set apart from the world so we can do God’s work. It is about living a lifestyle of worship. God created us to be worshipers in spirit and reality but it takes the true act of intention to get us there! The true act of laying aside our daily agenda for His agenda.
Just as I intentionally planned my water schedule, we as believers have to actively pursue walking with God on a daily basis and not passively wander through life.
As I continue my water challenge, I notice my one year old son has began drinking more water also. Every time I grab my water bottle, he grabs his sippy cup full of water. Beginning the challenge I definitely did not think my son would drink more water but I am certainly happy he has started!
This is the same with the body of Christ. As you become more intentional with your walk and relationship with Christ, other people will begin to notice. They will notice your lifestyle change, how you react to situations and ultimately begin to mimic your behavior. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Someone’s salvation may be totally dependent on your relationship with Christ.
I challenge you to become more intentional about your relationship and walk with Jesus Christ. The beauty of living for Jesus is that everyone’s walk is different. Ask God to reveal people, places or items that may be hindering your relationship with Him. Once those things are uprooted you may find yourself:
Becoming consistent at praying throughout the day
Setting aside specific times throughout the day to hear from God
Aborting laziness for quality time with God
Speaking life and not death (life and death is in the power of the tongue)
As you honor Christ with your intention He will honor you. Get ready for the presence of God to sweep you off of your feet!
Chrystal
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of living water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13
