The English term intentional means “with intention, with purpose”. It’s an adjective, formed from the noun intent—meaning “purpose” or “aim”.

Purpose is of import. It’s personal, proactive, present and primary in pushing back the dehumanizing disorder of chaos. “In the beginning”…the compassionate Creator had a purpose.

But there is something even deeper, even more essential to the heart…to our inner man.

Intent comes to us from the Latin intendere—meaning “direct one’s attention” but literally “to stretch out”, “to strain”, “to reach toward with effort”.

To have intent, to be intentional, is to reach toward another with focus, with energy, with purpose and passion. It is not absent or absent-minded, but always present and attentive.

It says in the language of the human heart: “You are worthy, and you belong”.

And it helps us understand why the “God-shaped hole” in us requires that we live as a son of an intentional Father. Of One who is always reaching toward us.

Indeed, when we live as sons, we experience the Almighty not as distant and high above, but as Abba who is near and reaches toward us throughout the earth, inviting us to reach out and touch him in response.

We feel deeply the presence of One who stretches out his hand to rescue, to comfort, to deliver…and who invites us to stretch out our hand, and be restored.

It is then that we experience being a new person, a new creation—a son who is safe, who is secure, who is free from bondage to fear. And who, through living as such a son, can be a father to others and reach toward those who desire to be whole in that deep place of the heart.

An intentional life, it turns out, is right within reach.

Indeed, God is mighty;

and he does not despise people,

he is mighty, and firm in his intent.

Job 36:5

Do you feel that the Father is intentional toward you?



Do you believe it is always for your good?

How might the Father be reminding you today that your heart and mind are being reached, stretched toward as a son—and that you can do likewise toward others?