In YCK Chapel’s ongoing journey towards becoming a disciplemaking community, our three main thrusts of the individual’s spiritual formation are authenticity, intentionality and being missional. Practically speaking, we long to see every YCK Chapel member maturing in Christ. How can we tell? When they walk their talk, live purposeful lives, and eagerly do God’s will in the world.
Intentionality in the context of Christian discipleship, is not a well understood idea. Everybody seems to agree that it is important, but few can agree on how it is works out in daily life. In truth, intentionality is expressed in a myriad of ways and settings. It is actually less about what one does in any particular situation, and more about one’s motivation. Yet it is not a mere thought or feeling; perhaps it is closer to a posture or habit of the heart. Still, it is not wishful thinking but rather a surrender of expectations and control to the Lord in favour of being alert, discerning, open and reliant to be guided and directed by Him in everything.
The Lord Jesus gave a hint about intentionality when He said in Matthew 10:42: “whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” In other words, seek to bless the least of God’s creatures out of love for Him, and you will discover that He takes more pleasure in this than in anything else.
God has shaped each of our lives uniquely, gifting each person differently. The same Holy Spirt lives in every Christian and enables us to do His will. Let this thought always keep us humble and intentional.
Suggested prayer (Thomas Merton, “Thoughts in Solitude”):
“MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”
By Aaron Lee, Elder (YCKC Bulletin 16&17 April 2016)