And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.
2 Corinthians 8:10-11, NKJV
Allow me to start by answering the question I left you all with in my last post: What are some good habits that you have developed and how do you keep them from being too ritualistic?
My strongest habit is my morning routine; it is during this time that I read scripture and spend time in God’s presence. After reading I pray, meditate, and journal but even this can become ritualistic. Sometimes I add in a worship song or use a commentary, I have even joined group chats to discuss to discuss the reading. If I am short on time, I may forgo journaling or come back to it later. Most of all I start with the intention to deepen my relationship with my Maker and better understand His words.
You heard last time the practices that my friend Jenna has on being intentional with her own morning routine as we discussed living intentionally. While I talk about this subject a lot, it is very much a struggle in my life. As Jenna had shared, it does not come naturally, but rather through daily habits and routines we build over time. Some people may be stronger in this area than others, but we all must work at it. The very meaning “done by intention or design,” (Merriam-Webster) suggests that we have to think about it.
My confession to you, my readers, is that I have not been very intentional with my writing. The curve balls of life thrown at me last year may provide good reasons, but God is still calling me to finish what I started. A growing desire in my heart has always been there and as I completed my first class in my master’s program, my professor encouraged me that I needed to start ministering now and not wait until I am finished with my degree. Wouldn’t you know, one of his suggestions was a weekly blog and then verse above was in a recent morning devotion. Can we talk about divine confirmation here?
As I think back to some earlier blogs, this means being more intentional with my “yes” and “no.” As I say “yes” to blogging once a week, it might mean saying “no” to other things. Only I can choose what. On this journey I am learning even more lessons in prioritizing my time. This can only be done through intentionality, to think before I speak, pray before I choose, and seek God’s guidance in both big and small decisions. Right now, God is guiding me to make this a bigger priority in my life.
With that, I make this commitment to you my readers: I will post weekly, sometimes it may be longer, and sometimes shorter. Some weeks I may just post a poem or a prayer that is on my heart, other times, I may repost content from one of my former blog sites. But you have my commitment and promise to receive something weekly from me. Thank you to all of you have encouraged me in my writing!
Praying God’s guidance and blessing over your lives as you join me in this journey of intention and perseverance.