I spent December quietly at home with the intention of getting much-needed perspective on the next season of my life. I was aware of the danger of drift on one hand, and of indiscriminately maintaining the status quo on the other hand.
In the process, the key word that surfaced for me was the word intentional. Being intentional was a reminder for me to stay focused, to know what on earth I am here for, to live proactively, and not be caught up reacting to the many needs that surround me, and to live purposely the one life that has been entrusted to me, with courage and humility.
At the time, I was reminded of one of my professors from Fuller Seminary in Los Angeles, Dr. Donald McGavran. He founded the seminary’s School of World Mission (now Intercultural Study). He was a brilliant multi-gifted man and was always in great demand. But God called him to do one thing, to give his life for the cause of world evangelization, the Great Commission of Jesus. He was so focused that it was said of him that “he played a one-string guitar.” In other words, he lived life intentionally. He did not get caught up saying “These various things I dabble at” but rather, “This one thing I do.”
So December for me was a month of re-tuning my one-string guitar and caused me to make a number of changes in order that I might continue my calling of equipping the next generation.
Re-Tuning to Become More Intentional
So how about you as you move on into 2016? How intentional are you going to be? Here are some of the questions I asked myself in my time of re-tuning:
- What on earth am I here for?
- How can I take this calling to the next level?
- What are the good things that could prevent me from doing the best things?
- What steps do I need to take to continue living a life of continual growth?
- Am I maintaining the self-leadership disciplines that will keep me on the cutting edge of life?
- What “emotional intelligence” weaknesses do I need to attend to?
- What things have I been doing that have now passed their used-by date?
- Am I still willing to take faith (risk) steps to embrace new and radical challenges (open doors) that the Lord has for me, or am I content to live in a safe place?
- Am I still living my life for the things that are eternal and not the things that are temporal?
- Am I still willing to trust the Lord for all my needs?
- Am I being a good steward of the spiritual gifts God has given me?
I am entering 2016 stirred and challenged, and very much alive in my 71st year, with the benefit of my intentional life review. Some old doors have closed and some new doors have opened and I am feeling focused and ready to continue my passion of equipping the next generation.
