Intention over Results

It is no secret that here at Be Transfigured Ministries we place a great amount of emphasis on living the life the Church has established. We do so with faith in the Church which has been guided by the Holy Spirit since the very first day of the Church. This year’s Daily Lenten Journey has spent a lot of time discussing the centrality of our free will to choose the Church life. Our slogan at Be Transfigured Ministries, Live A New Life In Christ, is based upon this free choice, but the choice rest on one critical element….our intentions.

If you think following every rule of the Church fast is all that is needed during Great Lent, then you haven’t been paying attention. In fact, most of us fast a unique fast that outwardly is quite different from others’ fast. What is common is our intention. We choose to fast so our heart is united to God. In today’s reading from Proverbs, (you can read the entire passage below) we are taught that it isn’t always how successful we are in our Christian journey, but whether we have the right intention.

Character traits as “wise” and “righteous” express intention. Proverbs also said, “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” With the proper intention, even though we accomplish little growth, so long as we are growing closer to God, it is a blessing. Great Lent is about those small moments of spiritual growth because our intention is to grow.

Our continual goal at Be Transfigured Ministries is to make sense of the many traditions and practices of the Church. Among the traditions of the Church, our intention, cannot be ignored. If it is our intention to grow closer to God, and to trust the Church has been guided by the Holy Spirit to help find Him, them our Great Lenten Journey will be a success and blessed by God.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of fools. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof will die. Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, how much more the hearts of men! A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. The way of a sluggard is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. Proverbs 15.7-19