Connected in The Word 8-5-25
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
“Gentlemen, what are your intentions?”
You may recognize that line spoken by Tom Hanks playing Jim Lovell in Apollo 13. Lovell never spoke those words in real life, but it was a great scene in the movie. I think “intentions” matter in life. Honestly, what someone sincerely “intended” to do is often more important to me than what they actually did. Of course, real words and real actions matter a great deal and can have life-changing consequences for you and for other people regardless of what someone’s intensions were. Even so, I still think intentions matter!
Many years ago, my wife was washing our newly purchased minivan out in the driveway. One of our little children wanted to help. Little did any of us know that the sponge this child was using had a tiny piece of something abrasive stuck in it because afterwards we found just the faintest circular scratches all over the door of the new van. Those scratches were very real, but we obviously didn’t get upset with our child because they had no intention of scratching the van. Obviously “good intentions” don’t always excuse poor decisions, irresponsible behavior, and blatant sin. But more often than not – Intentions matter to me!
Intentions REALLY MATTER to me when I am thinking about God’s work in my life and in the world. I don’t always understand or like what God is doing in my life and in the lives of those I love, but I know HIS INTENTIONS are good. Here’s the cool part about God – His intentions (His will) always translate into real action! We might not clearly see how God’s intentions, will, and “good pleasure” are playing out in real-time, but we can trust that God’s intentions are rooted in His steadfast love for us and come to fruition in and through Jesus! “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure (INTENTION) to give you the kingdom.”