Beyond Good Intentions

“You are in the right rather than I; you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm. Great is the generosity you showed me today . . . . I know that you will certainly become king” // 1 Samuel 24:18, 21

Bring God glory through your actions. It is probably going to my epitaph, not because I live it perfectly, but because it is a regular instruction I give my children. I tell them as often as I can because I want it to be ingrained in them.

Good intentions are not enough. Good intentions are the starting place, but the spiritually strong follow those good intentions with action. It is by our actions that we are judged. It is through action that we live out our love. I want them to believe it. I want them to live it.

The actions we choose to do are influenced by our thoughts, and our thoughts are influenced by a confluence of other things, people, situations, and our very lifestyle. We form our intentions in response to our interactions in this world. If we want to more easily choose actions to bring God glory, the first step is to cultivate a healthy environment for our thoughts and prayers and intentions to be brought into alignment with the will of God. This is both hard and necessary for progress in the spiritual life.

In the reading today, it is because of David’s actions that he was able to stand blameless before Saul. He tells Saul, “I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead.” Because David showed patience and prudence in his response and because he ignored his initial thoughts and instead acted with virtue, Saul recognized David as the future king.

What did your actions say about you this week? Did your actions proclaim you as a daughter of God or are there places you need to improve?

Bring God glory through your actions. // @MaryRuth HackettClick to tweet

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