Imagine your life being a boat. Your boat is either headed in a specific direction led by you, or it’s allowing the circumstances of life directing it.
If you’re not steering that boat, the wind and waves are.
The one thing that has changed me the last 6 years of my life…
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will get a small commission if you purchase items through my site. You can read my full disclosure here.*
Intentional Growth
If we are not striving to draw closer to our Father, if we’re not striving to grow in our gifting’s, if we’re not intentional in our marriage- circumstances will continue to control us and direct our lives, aiming for no specific direction.
For those that have or are experiencing storms in your life right now- it’s ok. You still have that choice to either direct that boat or allow the winds and waves to wreck you.
So what direction is your boat headed? What island are you headed to? And the next question is- what are you doing every day to get you there?
Many people can say that they “hope” to get to a certain destination. And many will say they “want” to get somewhere, but if there is no action that is directing them to that destination, that goal will soon fade away and the destination will never come to pass.
Yes, God is in control. But He did give us the free will to make and choose what we want. Yes, miracles can happen by God. But lets not cancel out the reality of life. We bear fruit from every decision we make (whether good or bad).
Here are some famous quotes from Jim Rohn (one of my husband and I’s favorite teachers)-
“Either you run the day or the day runs you.”
“Never wish life were easier, wish that you were better.”
What do you want to grow in? Who do you want to become? What do you want to see come about in your life?
Take those answers and come up with intentional actions for you to do every day, week, and month to become closer to those goals, dreams, and destination.
It’s that simple.
To start directing that boat, make goals, and create steps to reach those goals.
Again, with no goals, no vison, no action, your boat is just being directed by the waves, by the circumstances of life.
Here’s another image:
Imagine being on a steep hill- you’re either going uphill or downhill. You cannot remain stagnant for a long period of time. You’re getting closer to the top of that mountain while intentionally becoming a better person inside and out.
Intentional growth, what does this look like?
- Read books– in areas of weaknesses or strengths, something you want to grow in, a gifting you want to enhance in
- Here is a complete list of books for moms to dive into if you need ideas! –} The Best Books for Moms
- Setting up an exercise plan
- Healthy eating
- Quality time with the children
- Your marriage
- Time with Jesus in the Word, journaling, worship time (join our Facebook group where we hold each other accountable in this area)
Not that your life has to be perfect in these areas. The important thing is that you’re growing consistently in some area of life (I would say most importantly spiritually).
If you’ve never made goals or strive to be intentional, start out small. DO NOT overwhelm yourself- it can just lead to failure.
A close friend and I chose to start holding each other accountable with getting Word time in just 10 minutes every day. That doesn’t seem like much at all, but it was reasonable for us both to start out with. From my perspective, this was better than going through a whole week and not reading even one Bible verse.
Like I said, start out small!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on a few goals you have or are going to set for yourself. Please share them in the comments below.
Looking forward to seeing you at the island you’re destined to reach. 🙂
Here is a great devotional to simply get that 10 minutes of Word time in every day with lots of scripture! –} Leaving Your Mom Legacy by Kristina Gorr
My former pastor used to say that if you aim at nothing, you’re sure to hit it. It’s important to have goals but more so, a good workable and achievable plan to see results. I’m working on that right now myself for the next 12 weeks…achievable.
Thanks for sharing this, Denise. Intentional growth…so very, very important!
Yes, you are so right, Cindy! Aside from setting those goals, you need a plan of how you are going to reach them.
Set myself some physical exercise goals – love to ski and have a goal to improve next season. Also just started working with a trainer to improve my overall fitness. Even in these goals I am able to work towards spiritual goals of talking about and showing God’s grace.
Great to hear, Rachel! I’m always encouraged and inspired by others who also set goals!
Oh, I love this challenge and encouragement to be anchored by our faith and to be intentional about growth. “With no goals, no vison, no action, your boat is just being directed by the waves, by the circumstances of life.” – Love this quote…it’s so true. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Laura, for your encouragement! 🙂
Hi Denise. I love the scripture verse that says, ‘without vision the people perish’. That’s even more true in a world where we have so many things calling for our attention. Thank you so much for encouraging us to intentionally steer our boats in the direction we wish to go.
Wishing you blessings!
Thanks, Marva. And that verse, I forgot about that one! I should have put that into the post. Thanks for sharing that and for stopping by!
Thanks so much for sharing, Denise! You’re right; I think I sometimes underestimate the impact intentionality can have in my life. All living things grow, right? Yet I need to intentionally harness my will and bring it into submission for growth to be tangible and not just imagined. Thanks for the reminder that I can’t just imagine myself healthy, I actually have to do something and the moment is now.
So true, Carlie! I like what you said, “for growth to be tangible and not imagined.”
You and Jon have helped my husband and I learn the value of this intentionality. Getting older is exciting when we know we growing and making progress toward our goals!
Yes, Kandra! Your got it! I absolutely love hearing that come from you! And by the way… the reason we are where we are is all because of your husband… him giving that one book to Jon!
Wonderfully written, Denise. Your imagery depicts our lives quite accurately. Dr. Stanley’s sermon, on the radio last night, talked about a time that he and Andy were accidentally adrift on the ocean.
My goal for today- clean up a huge mess that was made yesterday… in my freshly cleaned house. Two large dogs and two humans were caught in a rain storm yesterday which has left mud, dirty clothes, and towels all over. 😀 Today’s goal is to clean while staying in constant communication with my loving, heavenly Father.
I can totally relate with you, Erin! Right before bedtime last night, my husband and 3 children went for a ride on the 4 wheeler and came in with mud all over them, lol! Thanks for stopping by and for your encouragement, Erin!