"Direction not Intention"

“Direction not Intention”

Last year our family went to Mt Rushmore.  Before going on this trip I went on MapQuest to plot the route we were going to take.  I then knew which way to go and what highways to take in order to get there.  We looked at where to stop to break up the trip and many other factors.  We knew where we wanted to go and so it was important to get the direction in order to arrive there.  We didn’t get in a car and intend to get there but took whatever road we felt like.   No one does that when they are going to specific direction.

However, I do think this is the way many people live.  They have all the best intention but don’t set on a course to end up there.  They think their good intentions are enough.  Ask our High School students and they want certain things in life.  They want to get married.  They want to find a career to pursue.  They want many things and have the best of intentions, but the direction they are going in would say something else.  Intention is not enough.  Direction is what is necessary.

When King Solomon wrote to his son he told him: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your paths.”   This is a verse about direction not intention.  Look to God and let him give you Direction in your life.

Let me tell you the story of someone from my High School graduating class.  There were many things they wanted to pursue and happen in their life.  However, it was all about intention.  They wanted a godly marriage but married someone who did not follow God.  All the intention in the world can’t make up for that.  And years later you can see the path they chose is much different from what they intended.  Because it is not about intention but direction.

So where do you want to be?  Forget good intentions rather focus on  direction.  What is the next step you need to take to get you where you want to be?

Pastor Ed