COMPLETELY INTENTIONAL

"So above all, guard the affections of your heart,
For they affect all that you are.
Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being,
For from there flows the wellspring of life."
Proverbs 4:23

It's a new day, and we are in a rush to get things done, and sometimes it's necessary because that's just life.  It's so easy to get in a pattern of "not paying attention" to the welfare of our hearts, our minds.  In fact, it's very easy to put something of so importance as the last on our list of to do's.  I know for me, when I do that it begins to affect every area of not just my day, but then it becomes the week, the month and the whole picture

"Set your gaze on the path before you.  With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignoring life's distractions.  Watch where you're going!  Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you.  Don't allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness." 
​Proverbs 4:25-27 TBT

The Word of God talks about how what we focus on we become, we begin to resemble.  If we're not careful our hearts can become a polluted pond rather than this fresh wellspring of life.  It's amazing if we really think about it.  Can you picture this, thinking about and picturing Christ and thanking Him for who He is and just stay there for a few minutes.  This very act begins to change us.  Isn't that incredible?  We focus on Him, and suddenly our hearts start to soften, we begin to feel joy springing up inside of us.  We are being transformed, intentionally.

It must be intentional.  We are surrounded by hundreds of distractions daily, and we've been told right here it is our responsibility to do the guarding of our affections of our heart, what we chase after, long for, seek, think about, and especially what we allow our eyes to see. 

I'd like to challenge you, and I plan to challenge myself as well to intentionally and purposefully watch where my attention may go.  The more your heart dwells on and focuses on the lover of your soul, the more you desire to focus your attention on Him.  He's doing the work in your heart.

Be that one that refreshes and gives life to others, even in the every day.  

---

Misty L. Chladek

​Creator/Founder
Community of Christian Creatives, LLC

​​Watercolor artist, author, wife, lover of plants and the outdoors, daughter of the King of Kings. 
​She is a community builder on Instagram @communityofchristiancreatives and continues her artwork at @mistyleacreations.  Her book Love Letters of Jesus, which can be found on most online stores and her website, is the story about how God healed her of severe childhood diseases and is a testimony to God's goodness through the struggles.