There’s a significant difference between good intentions and being intentional. While good intentions involve a person’s motive, intentionality speaks to having a plan and doing things on purpose. To illustrate the point, there’s a story in the Bible involving David and 30,000 young men who were returning the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, as this throng was en route to their destination, they made a terrible mistake. Since the Ark, which represents God’s presence, became too heavy to carry, a man named Uzzah placed it on a cart to keep it from falling. However, because the Torah laid out specific rules for transporting this priceless treasure, touching it caused him to sin, and he died instantaneously. While this seems a bit extreme to us today, the lesson is that pure motives can be eclipsed by disobedience, and honest intentions don’t always equal “God intentions.” When the Lord provides a way, we need to follow it, even if it demands more time and effort. There are no shortcuts in the Kingdom of Heaven, and it’s important to plot our course, figure out what will please our Savior, and then do it. Cutting corners to pursue the way of convenience always forges something more complicated, and while Jesus didn’t say His call would be a “cakewalk,” He promised that He would supply grace to make it possible.

My friend, doing things God’s way is the best way! Your Savior delights in providing divine direction, and you need only to listen to and obey his instructions. Thankfully, there’s no condemnation, shame, or judgment in missing the mark, and because Jesus is unendingly merciful, it’s never too late to begin again. You can experience the joy of fully trusting and wholly yielding to His will each day, and as you partner with His Spirit, He will empower you to recognize, receive, and respond to His promptings. When you live in the knowledge that His grace is enough, you can follow in His footsteps, assume His easy yoke, and allow Him to do the heavy lifting!