Living with Intentionality

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” -Ephesians 5:15–17

We live in a world that moves fast and pulls us in a thousand directions. Between endless to-do lists, distractions, and demands, it’s easy to find ourselves drifting through our days rather than truly living them. That’s why Paul’s words in Ephesians 5 are so timely and vital. He reminds us to be very careful in how we live—to walk wisely, to seize every moment, and to stay in step with God’s will. This kind of living doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality.

Intentionality means we make deliberate choices—about how we spend our time, where we place our focus, and how we respond to God’s leading. If we’re not purposeful in pursuing time with God, it won’t just happen. Time with Him will get squeezed out by everything else. If we don’t deliberately choose to obey God’s commands and walk in His ways, we’ll find ourselves shaped more by the culture around us than by the Spirit within us. Paul is urging us to pay attention—to live with our eyes wide open, asking each day: “Am I using my time wisely? Am I aligning my life with God’s will?”

This passage also challenges us to recognize that every moment is a gift and an opportunity. When we live intentionally, we begin to notice the divine appointments in our daily routines—chances to encourage someone, opportunities to serve, quiet moments where God wants to speak. But if we live distracted or carelessly, we’ll miss those holy moments.

Our spiritual lives are a lot like a garden. They won’t thrive without intentional care. If a garden is neglected, weeds will take over, plants will die and fruit is never produced. The same can be true of our life. But when we take the time to water it with prayer, nourish it with God’s Word, and protect it with obedience, growth happens—and fruit begins to bloom.

How are we doing when it comes to intentionality? If someone looked at your calendar or screen time report, would they say that God is your priority?  Sometimes we intend to make time for God, but if it’s not scheduled or prioritized, it often gets crowded out. 

Living with intentionality means choosing regularly to put Jesus first. It means recognizing that every day is a gift and an opportunity to walk in step with Him. Our lives will not reflect God’s wisdom unless we intentionally seek His will and direction. So let’s be intentional. Let’s choose today to live with purpose, and make the most of every opportunity!