God knows our hearts; he sees and appreciates our intentions, but he makes it clear that there is a difference between those intentions and actions. Every so often, it’s good to check ourselves to see if we are doing the things we intended on doing. Part of me blames the overabundance of information. In an hour on the internet, we can be barraged with thousands of things to consider, dream about, laugh about, mourn, and do. It’s never been like this, humans aren’t equipped to handle so much input. However, it’s we who open the apps, our hands that scroll as our souls are overloaded. We need to know when to stop scrolling and when to begin doing.
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?…”
Matthew 21:28-31
Clear Visions
I’m motivated by visions. I love to dream, plan, and discuss endeavors, events, and even vacations. I can see the end from the impossibility, and planning the steps to get there is thrilling! When I have the opportunity to implement those plans, it’s as pleasurable as eating chocolate. For me, planning is part of the excitement. It’s important to realize, however, that dreaming about something, and planning it out, isn’t the same as doing it. Just because you can see the end in detail, it’s not a reality until it’s’ done. God knows our hearts and loves our intentions, but we aren’t obedient to him until we take action. Words are never enough.
26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:26-27
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21
Purity of Heart and Potency of Actions
God has so many amazing traits and he’s the perfect balance of love, justice, vision and action. He loves and appreciates our hearts and intentions, but he clearly sees them separately from our deeds. He is the definition of love, so even when we do all these beautiful actions, but without love, we are a clanging cymbal to him. So doing great work, but without love isnt his will either. How can we get it right? This does take an act of God. No human can keep that purity in their heart and potency in actions unless strengthened and empowered by him. Dreaming isn’t doing, but there’s nothing incredible that happens without both.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Prayer
God, you are King; you are just, but loving, and you see every detail of my life and heart. You know what I need to do and where I should place my focus. Please help me work diligently when it’s time to work, to be visionary when I need to and know when it’s time to get up and get it done. I submit my thoughts to you with the intentions of my heart. Help me to be pure in my intentions and potent in my actions so that I may draw others to you. In the redemptive name of Jesus, Amen.
