It is written:
“The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.” Luke 11:34
The directions of our lives are driven by the intentions of our hearts. Intention is the source of being.
Our minds generate thoughts that grow into notions and ideas that become intentions and concepts for physical action. At the point of intention, our hearts have acted.
It is fundamentally important to understand the thought process and the thought-action pathway. Intention is a critical juncture of this essential pathway of human being. It is the beginning of being.
Intention is the executive act of the will. To intend is to choose in your heart; an inside decision to yield to the influences of grace or the temptations of evil.
To intend is more than a mere wish. A wish is a fantasy that may be intended or not. An intention is a determination of the heart. It is the foundation of choice that precedes the outward action by the body. When we intend, our heart has acted- our will has committed. Intention is a commitment of the will.
Intention is the executive policy of freewill. By it we are judged. Intention is everything.
Therefore intention must be well informed. Every decision of the heart must be carefully crafted. When intentions are not realized it is a significant waste of personal internal resources: you have wasted your thoughts.
Sadly many of us do not realize our intentions. We intend to do good, so we say, but eventually do not do it. We intend to pray, study the word, seek the Lord in run-away personal retreats which never happen. We intend to win a soul every month, save some money out of our meager salary, live a holy life by the strength of the Holy Spirit. Yet, when we come to take stock at the end of the month or year, many intentions never get implemented. Why?
Moreover, we often may find ourselves doing things we did not, as we claim, intend to.
Romans 7:15
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that
O, I didn’t intend to lie, I didn’t intend to be late, I didn’t intend to forget, I didn’t intend to be angry, I didn’t intend to be poor, I didn’t intend to be a mediocre parent, I didn’t intend to be a disobedient child, I didn’t intend to be ungrateful to grace, I didn’t intend to live without faith. I didn’t intend to be a bad husband or a bad wife, etc. Are these not merely flimsy excuses?
Every voluntary action is an intentional action. That’s the simplicity of intention: volition.
At the start, we may have good intentions. The issue is that we often quickly change our minds in the face of challenges. When we meet problems, big or small, in the way of acting out our plans, we speedily change the plan. Sometimes this change is so fast and seems automatic. To the extent we love our convenience and fear consequences that may cause inconvenience, we change our initial intentions. This is a demonstration of inadequate integrity of intention.
Volition is sacred. We must stay true to our intentions. But this doesn’t come without much consideration. Effective intentions, good or wicked, are developed through effective integration of multiple diversity of thoughts. It requires sufficient understanding of diverse perspectives.
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
An intention must be integrated in design. Many time this happens unconsciously or subconsciously through assimilation of cultural norms. This is why home culture, child training, parental governance, Christian fellowship is important at an early stage, the formative years of life. This is one reason the biggest investment of church must be in the children’s and teens department. That’s were most of the money, infrastructure, teaching and learning materials, attention, accountability, volunteers, prayer fasting, reprove and correction, etc must be invested in, relatively.
The background to intention is formed by experience. The context of intention has strong influence on the content of the intention. So we need focus diligence and consistency to establish mind context, the soil, that would influence the generation of desired intentions.
If we refuse to be deliberate about our intentions we would have intentions anyway! And if we deny the actions that are produced by our “unintended intentions” then we deceive ourselves. The nature of human existence is that intentions will form, whether or not one is deliberate about them. And you will be responsible for the consequences. If you refuse to be deliberate about the actions of your heart, your body will sure act so far as you exist, and the results will be your portion. To live is to be responsible. Your body will be full of darkness if your eye is not single. Without an integrated intention running your life, you will have plenty undesired outcomes. This is may be why many desire a good life but end up having something else.
A single eye is full light to the body. An integrated intention, one that is informed by efficient considerations and good reasoning, will always give full illumination, good knowledge and understanding for a fruitful life.
It is written: Isaiah 1:18-19
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Choosing to live a life pleasing to God, each day, should emanate from reasoning with God. Everyday, we must each go to him to reason together. Reasoning with God is a blessed opportunity for humans. Ignoring is a sad choice. When we go to God to reason with him, instead just to ask him for favours, he opens up to reveal divers perspectives of knowledge, wisdom, instructions and guidance Tony’s. Can you imagine having a discussion with Omnipotence? What an opportunity!
What is your intention in life? The choice to be a Christian, to be born again should be with integrity. You have to be honest about it, not frivolous. It is the best part of intention to have in this life. This choice is a simple integrated act of your freewill.
How to build a context for integrated intentions of righteousness
1. Be honest about your confidence in God: deeply reflect on your claim of faith in Christ Jesus
2. Be serious about time management and accountability
3. Invest in reflections on the situation of your environment and the problems in your immediate society
4. Mind your health, nutrition, education, relationships, occupation, resources and relay
5. Mean what you say and say what you mean
6. Be patient and flexible
7. Be the Christian you say you are.
By Emmanuel Mensah