Seek God with Intentionality

“Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV

In an interesting story titled “Experts Explain How to Optimize the Non-Running Days on Your Training Plan” published by Runner’s World yesterday, the writer said “If you’re following a training plan, you know the purpose of each run before you lace up. You may deviate from the program from time to time, but generally speaking, every run is part of a bigger strategy.” She then went on to ask a question many runners have pondered, “But what about your non-running days?” After all, they’re a part of our training plans, too, and what we choose to do with them can either support or detract us from our goals. That being said, the writer went on to say, “So, if you’ve been treating every off day as a day off, or if you tend to wing it whenever you don’t have a run on the schedule, it’s time to get intentional. Every day counts!” Great advice, right?

And, you know, as I read this story, I couldn’t help but see the parallels in the way many of us train spiritually… treating non-church days as complete days off, as if study and worship on Sundays is all we need to get us to the finish line. But let me ask you this, “How well would you run if you only trained one day a week?” Not well, right? Which is the very reason we are to be intentional in our pursuit of God by seeking the Lord and his presence continually—as if training for a gold medal in the Olympics! That means non-stop! A day of intentionality then would mean scheduling in a time of Bible study every morning, thereby making God your top priority. This means meditating on what you’ve read throughout the day as you petition the Lord to reveal how to apply it to your life asking, “What did it say? What did it mean? And what does it mean to me?” This means further seeking his presence through nonstop prayer and complete surrender. This also means sacrifice. It means laying aside or limiting anything (TV, social media scrolling, social events, etc.) that takes your time away from seeking God’s presence. 

But let me tell you, this is one practice that will pay off in spiritual dividends! Just as your physical muscles and endurance grow by consistent training, so will your spiritual muscles and spiritual endurance grow by consistent and intentional training!

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV

So seek God and his kingdom first each and every day my friend. Be purposeful about it, knowing that every thing else you need in life will fall into place when the Lord is your priority. It truly is time to get intentional!

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that You are to come first in our lives. Help us to put You first by living with intention. Knowing that every day counts, let us live each day on fire for You. Lord give us a hunger and thirst for your Word and let that spill over into a hunger and thirst for prayer and meditation. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!