7 Helpful Thoughts to Plan Your Life with Intention - Jeanne Takenaka

Do you plan your life intentionally, or do you take each day as it comes?

My pastor asked this question recently, “How are you spending your life?”

Many of us believe we have many days, months, and years left on Earth. For some of us, this misguided belief prompts us not to be intentional with how we spend our time.

Does any of this sound familiar?

“I’m just going to watch one more episode.”

“Play one more video game (Hello, Candy Crush).”

“Read late for one more night.”

“Work on _______ for a little longer.”

Finding the balance

I’m not saying any of these things are bad. But when we are distracted by “lesser things,” we miss the opportunities God gives us to grow into a deeper relationship with Him. We don’t see the chance to minister to and love others by speaking truth to them, serving, and seeking to live and love as Jesus does.

7 Helpful Thoughts to Plan Your Life with Intention—when we are distracted by "lesser things," we miss the opportunities God gives us to grow into a deeper relationship with Him #tellhisstory #planyourlife Click To Tweet

I’ve been guilty of saying, “I’ll do _____ tomorrow. I don’t feel like doing it today.” Or “I’m too busy today.”

There’s a balance to be found. God doesn’t tell us not to relax. He encourages us to rest, which looks different for each of us. We need to be aware if we are weighing too heavily on the distraction side of things rather than intentionally following the promptings God places on our hearts.

The truth is, we may not have tomorrow. So, how do we make each day count?

https://youtube.com/shorts/j_jCRbf4dII?feature=share

What helps you plan your life intentionally?

Here are some truths and applications that can help you plan your life well.

Truths

Know what God’s calling is for us in this season of our lives. 

If we have young children at home, our calling will be different than for empty nesters or single or working or home full time. We need to ask God to reveal His calling for us each season.

Remember, some entertainment in our days isn’t necessarily bad,

But when our desire for escape or entertainment takes priority over the callings and relationships God has given us, we’re out of balance. One of our sons spent hours on video games because he wanted to play on the e-sports team at his college (yes, it’s a thing!). To me, he was wasting hours of every day entertained by the games and YouTube.

Keep the Main Thing (God) the main thing in our days.

God doesn’t expect us to spend all day, every day only in His word, prayer, and serving. But when we devote daily time to growing closer with Him, our Father equips us so we can spend our time—our life—well.

As God’s kids, we are not our own.

 We should be talking with Him to understand His plans for each day. Spending a few minutes in the morning to ask Him to direct our steps will help us spend our days and lives well.

Applications

Evaluate how we’re using our time each day

 Maybe even going so far as to track our days for a week down to 15-minute increments (let me know if you’d like a chart for this!). Use the information we find to make the best possible choices with how we spend time.

Look for divine opportunities

 to be “Jesus with skin on.” This may look like smiling at the grocery cashier and sharing a word of encouragement. It may be writing a note to someone we know is hurting. Or reaching out with an offer to have coffee. He may give us the chance to share the gospel with someone. God gives us spiritual gifts. We should look for unexpected opportunities to use them for His glory.

Don’t major on the minors in life.

This goes for relationships and how we complete our daily tasks. In some of our relationships, holding onto past hurts is easy. Let’s choose to let go of those and allow God to heal the wounds in our hearts. Complete reconciliation will probably take time and talking with God.

In completing the to-do’s on our list, often good is better than perfect. Very few things in life must be perfectly done. But when we ask God to guide us in how we spend our time, let’s be open to completing tasks to the point of good rather than becoming distracted by making everything perfect. Or am I the only one prone to that tendency?

7 Helpful Thoughts to Plan Your Life with Intention—But when we ask God to guide us in how we spend our time, let's be open to completing tasks to the point of good rather than becoming distracted by making everything perfect… Click To Tweet

Conclusion

I’m still pondering how I can spend my life well. This probably won’t surprise you, but I’m not a “take it as it comes” sort of gal. I like to have a plan. God knows how He wants you to plan your life. It will look different for you than for me because we are uniquely created with different bents, talents, understandings, giftings, and callings.

When we consider how we’re spending our lives, let’s invite God into the conversation. When we ask if He’d like us to do things differently, He may answer. We only have one brilliant life to spend, so let’s make the choices we must to spend it for Jesus.

What about you? What are your thoughts about how to plan your life? How are you intentional in how you spend each day?

Two quick notes: Andre Budek-Schmeisser will begin hosting the Tell His Story link-up on Tuesday, November 7th. More details coming!

Also, this week, Hubs and I are taking some time together. I’ll try to stop by and engage as I’m able. 😊 Thank you for understanding!

Come share your story at the Tell His Story linkup. Connect and be encouraged by like-minded friends! #tellhisstory #linkup Click To Tweet

Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.

Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.