In what areas of your life do you need to be more intentional? Is there a Bible study or small group you could join to deepen your faith and knowledge of God? Is there someone you need to forgive, including yourself? Is there a ministry or volunteer opportunity you need to get involved in?

These questions all get to the heart of living a life of purpose. Living this way doesn’t come naturally, and so we must pray and ask God for the courage to live with intention. We can find the inspiration for doing so by looking at the life of Jesus.

Jesus was intentional about learning.

Even as a young boy, Jesus displayed an inquisitive mind. The book of Luke records that He stayed behind in Jerusalem after the Feast of Passover festivities ended (Luke 2:41-43). His family moved on without Him, not realizing until three days later that He was missing. They later found Him sitting at the feet of the teachers in the Temple, listening intently and soaking up all the knowledge that He could. The highly respected and well-versed spiritual leaders were impressed with Jesus’ level of understanding at such a young age.

May we hunger and thirst after God in this manner.

Jesus was intentional about servanthood.

Jesus demonstrated His loving, gentle nature in many ways throughout His ministry.

One tangible way in which He gently led by example is when He washed His disciples' feet. In this act, He is our model to follow, teaching us how to humbly serve and honor one another above ourselves. He was the Messiah, yet He was not above stooping down to clean dusty, dirty feet. Matthew 20:28 states ”...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

May we look for ways to serve others and, in doing so, bless the heart of God.

Jesus was intentional about obedience.

Jesus spent the entirety of His 33 years fulfilling His Father's sovereign design for His life.

In John 5:19 we learn that the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son also does. Jesus had a very specific calling and never deviated from His Father's instructions.

May we strive to have a heart like that, one that asks, “What's on the agenda today, Daddy?”

Jesus was intentional about His purpose.

Jesus understood that His purpose was to be a bridge between sinful creation and a holy, righteous God. He was to be the substitutionary sacrifice and give humanity access to a loving God through the forgiveness of sins and the free gift of eternal life.

This right standing with God could not be achieved on our own, so Jesus did what desperately needed doing, what only He could do. He was keenly aware that He would have to die a brutal, horrific death before He could utter the victorious words, “It is finished.”

Because of His full awareness of what He was about to endure, He spent time praying to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked that this cup be taken from Him (Luke 22:42), but also added, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Nothing could deter Him from experiencing the humility and suffering of a criminal’s death - not even His own fear. That's how much He loved us!

May we be inspired to run our race with steadfast determination.

Jesus was intentional about forgiveness.

Peter, one of the Lord's closest companions, betrayed Jesus THREE times! After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to the twelve disciples on three separate occasions. One of those appearances was dedicated to the reinstating of Peter (Luke 24:34). Because of Christ’s limitless grace and loving kindness, Peter was emboldened to become one of early Christianity's most fearless representatives and the rock upon which Jesus built His church.

In this account, we see that not only does Jesus forgive, but He takes it a step further and gives a place of honor to His offender. And, aren't we all, offenders? We all have sinned and fallen short. We all miss the mark and hurt our loving Savior, but He's always waiting with open arms to forgive and bring about beauty and goodness, even from our messes and mistakes.

May we be quick to offer forgiveness, knowing how our offenses nailed Him to the cross.

In conclusion, look to the life of Jesus for what it means to live a life with intention. “If we say we are His, we must follow the example of Christ.” (1 John 2:6)

Where in your life do you need to be more intentional? Pray and ask God for courage to live with intention.

Heather Brostrom has been a Christian since she was a teenager. She has suffered with depression for all of her adult life and wonders if some day she will have a unique opportunity to share her story of hope and perseverance. She heartily believes that Jesus has been good to her, showing her that life can still be blessed even through adversity and trials. Read more posts by Heather.