Patterns of Intentionality

‘Patterns of intentionality’
If the chief end of man is to love God and enjoy him forever, what does that mean every day in my life as an image bearer of him? What experiences in the life thus far have stirred my affection for Christ and the kingdom of God? When I have considered what I care about, I realize that my passions are constantly evolving. Looking back on my short life, the strongest common denominator reveals that my love of God is rooted in the things that God himself loves, defends, and cares about – # 1 his beloved people of every nation, # 2 his miraculous creation, and # 3 justice for every child of God. J. Piper says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” As I dive into the desires of my own heart, I find great pleasure in seeing splendor, and I believe through this, God is glorified. In light of my own experiences, I love finding beauty in obvious and hidden places.
God also helps me see what is good, right, and true when I am relishing in his beauty and creation. God has also given me a passion to care for the defenseless, poor, and neglected. I find Isaiah 1:17 a mandate if I am to bear the image of God. It reads, “learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” By spending time in an orphanage in Guatemala, building a house for someone less fortunate, or working in a soup kitchen, these things have helped me go deeper into my relationship with the living God. God’s compass is what helps me to see and navigate what is good, pure, and beautiful. I am starting on a path to see these things in my life began to shape my character, and that gives me hope. I want to be in the presence of people who have hearts that yearn for God’s kingdom and for God’s will to be done on this Earth as it already is in Heaven.