“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
― Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) / Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)
This might be a bit overstated for our topic today, but it does drive home the point. How many times have we said this:
Someday I’m going to…
Once I get through this, I’m going to…
This spring I’m going to…
I’ll do it next time…
…and then it never happens. You don’t follow through or, worse, quit because it’s become challenging or inconvenient.
Actionless intentions speaks to the idea that, at some point, we had an inspired thought that would be beneficial either to ourselves or others and then we never followed through with the appropriate action.
Often times, speaking from our own experience, we just aren’t committed or obedient to our intentions with the self-discipline that it takes to achieve them. That’s because we felt like we were sacrificing something instead of actively fulfilling our desired intention. For instance, do we truly want to shed a few pounds because we feel we need to or is it because we desire to feel healthier? Am I sacrificing dessert or am I choosing to take a more disciplined path to a healthier outcome.
As the Bible points out several times – “Obedience is better than sacrifice!” (1 Samuel 15:22-NLT) In our context, are we choosing to be obedient to the necessary actions to fulfill our own intentions or are we avoiding the sacrifices that we perceive? To further illustrate this point, consider these other common actionless intentions:
- Signing up to volunteer, but other things always seem to come up.
- Paying off debt, but you really needed a girls/guys night out.
- Signing up for a marriage class, but work was tough today so you have to miss it tonight.
- Training our child’s heart and the time that requires, but is too inconvenient because of our schedule.
- Joining a gym or weight loss program, but decided to drop because you can’t seem to always make it.
These are all actionless intentions. The intentions themselves have value, but the “Buts” lead us to do nothing. It’s become the easy way out even though it’s not what we want.
As we mentioned in a previous letter, The Un-Perfect Principle, we are not perfect. However, we do strive towards being characterized by those qualities that define our character. Choosing to be active, committed, and obedient to our intentions is huge for us. That’s because it defines us to our children, friends, family and anyone else who may observe us. In particular, we want to model this character trait to our kids so they can tangibly see what obedience and self-discipline looks like. Because as people and parents our integrity is really important, and the lack of it has long-lasting ramifications for our relationships, our own futures and the future of our kids.
Keep in mind that not all intentions are “life and death” leading to heaven or hell. But recognize that some have more meaning than others. If I intended to go to lunch with friends and end up working through lunch, that’s not the end of the world. But if I intend (or promise) to go to my son’s Baseball/Hockey game, I go even if I had a terrible day, don’t feel like sitting next to “those” parents, or any other reason/excuse I might have. That’s a big deal. Needless to say, often when we make an excuses or justify a reason, it becomes easy for that to become a pattern that leaks into every area of our lives.
Do you have actionless intentions you need to re-evaluate?
Are you failing on some commitments? Personal ones or to others?
Are you characterized by not following through? Or is there always a reason you don’t follow through?
What is the message you are sending to your kids and those you care about?
Are you pursuing your intention out of obedience or sacrifice?
“What one does is what counts. Not what one had the intention of doing.”
― Pablo Picasso
Blessings to your family,
Shelly and Rich