Ephesians 5:15-17 / Intentionality…and why it’s so important
Have you ever…
- Been to a meeting that seemed pointless and was led by someone who was obviously unprepared?
- Finished up a conversation and walked away thinking about all the things you wished you would have said?
- Gone on a trip and realized too late that a little forethought would’ve saved you a lot of time and money?
There is one missing ingredient in all these scenarios, and that is intentionality.
To be intentional means to be deliberate, thoughtful, and purpose driven. Being intentional means you take the time you have, and you thoughtfully use each moment to accomplish as much as you can with that time.
There are two crucial steps to being intentional:
First, you must have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. What’s your goal? What are you trying to do? It is hard to be intentional if you don’t know what you are trying to accomplish. As Zig Ziglar famously said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”
Second, you have to think through what it will take to accomplish that vision. What must happen for your goal to come to fruition? How can you use the time you have most efficiently? What are some things you need to stop doing in order to focus your time and energy?
For those who know and follow Christ, we have been given a vision for our lives. That first step has been laid out for us through Scripture. Our purpose is to glorify God by advancing His Kingdom. We are called to share the Gospel, make disciples, and do it from a place of intimacy with Christ.
When the Apostle Paul was writing to believers at Ephesus, he laid out to them how they should live in order to accomplish this calling. The Ephesians were living in a godless city, with many distractions that could keep them from being effective. Knowing this, Paul gives them a reminder to be intentional:
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Notice the call to be intentional – Paul says, Look carefully how you walk. The word for walk in the Greek means how you live, your lifestyle. Paul wants them to think about what they are doing on a day-to-day basis. He wants them to think about their habits and how they are using their time.
Paul points out that some of those choices are wise (wisdom is putting knowledge and understanding into action) and some are unwise. Unwise choices might be okay morally, but they aren’t taking what we know (our calling, or purpose) and allowing it to influence the things we do (action).
Staying up till 2am playing video games might not be morally wrong, for example, but it probably won’t help you be as intentional with your co-workers the next day.
Paul gives a reason why we must be intentional, why we should think about how we walk and use our time wisely – because the days are evil. What does that mean? It means we live in a world filled with sin, and we are surrounded by people who need Jesus. The task we are called to is great – and the time we have to accomplish it is short!
So Paul says “don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Be intentional! Don’t waste time. Know what God has called you to and make each second count! Why waste a day or an hour or a minute when there is so much to do? So many souls to be won?
So here is my challenge: at the beginning of each day, or the night before, take some time to prayerfully ask the Lord how to use each moment as effectively as possible. Ask Him to show you what conversation needs to be had, what habit needs to be adjusted, or what step is next.
With love,
Pastor Dave
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