Aloha Ladies. Welcome back.
Let me ask you this question... have you ever played the board game Monopoly? You know, the one with all the properties like Boardwalk and Park Place, and the "go directly to Jail and do not collect your $200?"
I hadn't played this game in 20 years until recently. We played a spin-off version Big Island style. It had the same concept, just different property names, so instead of railroads, we could buy volcanos!
Now, here's what's so interesting: during the game, I realized that I had never played this game before with intentionality. I watched as my son-in-law had a strategy right from the start…. to buy up every property he landed on and develop them with houses and hotels. He already knew that was the only way to win the game, and his goal was to win! And he did! As for me, I had always played just to play with no real strategy and not surprisingly, I’ve never won the game Monopoly!
In a simple game that's been around since 1935, I saw success demonstrated because of intentionality. Going into a situation focusing on the end-goal and doing things on purpose for a purpose.
I believe we were created to live intentionally – to be deliberate and fully conscious of our actions and the associated consequences. Yet, intentionality is not just about "doing"; it’s also about “not doing.”
Let me give you an example from Scripture- from the life of Daniel.
The Book of Daniel, Chapter 6 has always been one of my favorite Bible stories- the famous "Daniel in the Lion's Den" – a nail-biting success story filled with jealousy, deception, commitment, courage, faith, redemption, and consequences. If you have time, I’d encourage you to check out the Book of Daniel for yourself, but to save time, I'll just read verses 6 to 23:
6So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! 7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. 8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” 9 So King Darius signed the law.
10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 12 So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”
“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”
13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”
14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.
15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”
16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.
19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
I can just hear King Darius exclaiming- “Well, shut my mouth!” when he finds Daniel completely unharmed after spending the night locked in a lion’s den filled with starving lions.
Starving lions with a tasty meal easily within their grasp- yet not a scratch on Daniel?
How is THAT even possible?
Scripture says it was because of trust.
But, if you read the entire book of Daniel, you will see that yes, it was trust, but there is more - intentionality.
When you look at the totality of Daniel's life, you will see that Daniel was a man of intentionality. He “purposed in his heart” at a young age that he would honor God and believed that in doing so, God would honor him!
I think it's worth pausing here for a moment and speaking on what it means to have "purpose in your heart." Simply put, to plan or rehearse, to decide ahead of time how you will respond when the opportunity to compromise arises.
Do you realize that Daniel was at one time a prisoner-of-war, a Jewish teenager ripped from his family and home? He was taken captive by the Babylonians and subjected to a "reprogramming" plan by King Nebuchadnezzar to assimilate all the Jewish captives into devoted Babylonian citizens- complete with an all-new lifestyle, religion, and new name. Daniel had to face many trials and challenges in this Babylonian society, being thrown into the lion's den and a fiery furnace because he would not compromise his beliefs!
Despite it all, this young Jewish captive was promoted to the highest-ranking non-royal position in the most influential society of that day and held this power position for over 70 years!
It's incredible when you appreciate that Daniel was honored and elevated in a completely counter-cultural culture to his Jewish faith!
“When your intentions are pure, so too will be your success.” Charles F. Glassman MD
This is Daniel!
The very key to his success was his intentionality - he resolved in his heart IN ADVANCE what he would NOT do BEFORE the event or challenge ever happened.
He was practiced and prepared.
The events in Daniel's life that led him to the mouth of the lion's den made him ready. His resolve, determination, courage, and faith were all resolved and practiced in advance with unwavering commitment.
Daniel was ready to put his faith in action when the tough times came!
Are we?
Have we resolved in advance the things we will NOT do because they dishonor God, or are we just waiting to "wing it" when the occasion arises?
For myself, countless years ago, I resolved always to be faithful to my husband. My goal was to honor God by protecting my marriage at all costs. I already knew just how easy it was to be attracted to another, break a vow, and go astray. So, I intentionally decided never to create an environment of temptation or misunderstanding. That meant I would NOT spend time alone with someone of the opposite sex- whether friends, co-workers, or even bosses. No lunches, dinners, or out-of-town trips unchaperoned. No riding alone together in a car. Some may say that's excessive, and I admit there were times it caused some heartburn in the workplace. However, it's kept me from finding myself in an unsavory situation or caused me to defend my commitment to my husband. I've never been tempted or had anyone question my love and devotion to my husband. No misunderstandings, no allegations, no questions, and no missteps.
My intentionality has allowed me to honor my vows to my husband, which honors God. My reward or success is a 30-plus-year marriage that is going strong with no unnecessary baggage, bumps, or blunders!
For me- that is priceless!
Ladies- There is power in intentionality!
So, is there an area in your life that needs intentionality? Any situations, events, or choices that may arise that could tempt you to compromise your beliefs? It could be as simple as being prepared to defend your faith. Whatever it is- as it will look different for all of us- I pray that we would all be more like Daniel and resolve in our hearts in advance - to walk by faith & believe that when we honor God- God will honor us—never forgetting that we are called to walk by faith, not by sight!
