The Importance of Intent

SCRIPTURE: As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV

THOUGHT: Once upon a time, I was a massage therapist. One of the more interesting concepts I learned is that a therapist’s intent makes a difference in the outcomes. You need to approach the body with purpose: to bless, to heal, to bring rest and relief. Yes, sometimes massage can cause pain, but we termed it ‘good pain’ and it ultimately helped achieve homeostasis for the body. If proper intent is missing, the client knows it – I’ve also gotten a lot of massage and can vouch for that. I can tell when a therapist is checked out, wishes they were somewhere else, or are just marking “done” on a mental checklist.

I think intent is important to God’s work too. What I love about these verses from Isaiah 55 is that they reveal God’s intentions toward us. He says his aim is life-giving, fruitful, generous, not punitive or judgmental. Like rain, his words bring nourishment so the ground is ready, spiritual seeds can be planted, and a fruitful harvest accomplished. Yes, God’s word is powerful and effective, sometimes causing ‘good pain’ in our lives as hard ground is tilled and vines are pruned, but its overarching goal is goodness. The words of God operational in our lives are his promises, and they will never come back to him empty, without achieving his purposes. What promises they are!

SONG: Good to Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjyFWgABuDI

PRAYER: Thank you that you’ve revealed to us your intentions, God. Like Jeremiah said, your plans are to bring us good (Jer. 29:11). Help us trust you deeply, even on days when ‘good pain’ is involved. Grant us persistence to see this journey through to harvest.