Everything about this morning was purely DELIBERATE.
1. Getting up before sunrise.
2. Making a cup of coffee.
3. Putting on my workout clothes.
4. Opening my back door and walking out of it.
5. Actually going on my morning walk.
I had to start with number one and deliberately go through each of those steps to be able to accomplish #5.
All I really WANTED to do was stay curled up in my nice warm bed.
But I knew that hours later I would be frustrated with myself for not power walking. If it doesn’t happen first thing in the morning, it’s just gonna happen for me.
So I did it, not because it was comfortable or easy or I wanted to, but because it was a good thing that needed to be done for my mental, emotional and physical well-being.
And now I get the sweet prize of sitting and writing without the nagging thought of needing to get out there and get my cardio on.
(Side note: If I hadn’t been intentional and deliberate in walking this morning, I would have missed a sight I might never see again – A gaggle (?) of wild turkeys crossing the street in the school crossing lines. In a perfect row, between the lines and marching with purpose behind the bright yellow SCHOOL CROSSING sign in the middle of the street. Hilarious! Wish I’d had a camera on me…)
The other night at Two Or Three, in our discussion of the Apples To Apples (see prior post) we mulled over the words INTENTIONAL and DELIBERATE. Similar words, both with the power to change the course of a life.
This is purely a personal interpretation, but I see a slight difference in their meanings.
To me, INTENTIONAL has to do with the heart’s choice to do something for a particular reason. INTENT, I think, comes from the heart, so we INTEND to do something because we feel a certain way about it. We’ve pondered (which I think includes the heart and soul) on it and feel it’s important enough to do something about. INTENTIONALITY is the BECAUSE.
DELIBERATE, on the other hand, seems to be more of a case of mind over matter. To do something based on thought and not just emotion or reaction. The brain takes the intentionality of the heart and practically puts it to work. It formulates a plan of action. DELIBERATE is the “LET’S DO THIS!”
How can being DELIBERATE change our lives?
Because it takes our good intentions and makes something happen!
I can have the intention to reach out to my neighbors, but unless I have a plan of action, unless I am DELIBERATE in doing something about it, those great ideas never come to life.
I can say I intend to lose weight, that’s what my heart wants, but unless my mind engages enough to make the choice to change my diet and exercise, unless I am DELIBERATE in what I eat and how active I am, the intention lies dormant.
This applies to anything in our life that we want to see change or growth in. You know the old saying, “The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect different results.” The road to nowhere is paved with good intentions, right? Change requires being DELIBERATE.
DELIBERATE says, “I will do this, I will try this, I will risk this, I will endure this because the results will be change and growth and something better.”
Now apply this to relationships. With people and with God. What are the things that I can do DELIBERATELY to grow and change and deepen those relationships? Communication, quality time, interaction which breed love, trust and intimacy.
A DELIBERATE life is a purposeful life. It has goals and works towards them. As a random person by nature, the word DELIBERATE can sound boxy and harsh. But it gives structure and direction to my attention deficient mind. It keeps me on track from just gathering the occasional roadside flower (which I will still DELIBERATELY do!) and remembering the lush garden that awaits a few steps further down the path. And who says we have to walk on that DELIBERATE path? I choose to skip!!!!
Pick one thing today to be DELIBERATE about. Just one thing. Ask God for the idea. And then get DELIBERATED with me!
Proverbs 13:4 – The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
1Timothy 4:15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
James 1:4 – Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
