Some say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
But I say, good intentions without actions are a dead-end street. They may not be taking you to hell, but they certainly aren’t taking you any place worthwhile.
This past week, I finished the expanded version of my novel The Dream Chaser and sent the last eight chapters for editing to my writing coach. (Yah!) For the past three months, I had set good intentions to complete the manuscript but hadn’t. I knew it wouldn’t take me long, yet I drug my feet. To justify my procrastination, I used the excuse of too much else going on in my life. And that wasn’t a lie. The holiday season has been fun but tons of work. Thank goodness it’s over for another year.
I consider the remaining portion of winter as a time of rest and regrouping for me–getting back to the basics that keep me grounded. In order to do this, I must intentionally nourish my body, my mind, and my soul. This means eating a healthier diet, exercising regularly, reading good books (including the Bible), writing in my journal, and spending time in prayer. It’s not like I have totally given up on these activities. But I haven’t been faithful to them every day.
Good habits like good intentions are difficult to start and easy to let slide.
Intentionality followed by action is the key. Everyone has good intentions for their life although few have the motivation to carry through with them.
Intention without action is an insult to those who expect the best from you.
Andy Andrews, author and speaker.
God expects my best and I want to give it to Him.
Yet instead, I procrastinate and put off until tomorrow what I could do today. My inner voice keeps asking, “Did God really call you to write?” When in reality, it’s my fear of failure that holds me back. Can you relate?
I know in my heart that God wants me to write for Him just as I knew He wanted me to become a doctor. With a lot of hard work and determination, I accomplished the latter and even today still see patients part-time. Why do I think God hasn’t equipped me for writing if He called me to do it?
He equipped me for medicine in the fact that He gave me a mind with the desire to learn as well as the ability to absorb and use the knowledge I gleaned from books and others. The same is true of writing.
Why should I expect a publishing contract laid at my feet without first learning about the industry and the craft of writing? I wasn’t naturally born a doctor. During eleven years of education after high school, I had to become one.
I must trust that God has me in the process of becoming the writer He designed me to be. Little by little, I’m learning from books and other authors I’ve heard speak and teach. Just as I intend to get back to the daily basics to nurture my body, mind, and soul, I intend to continue growing as a writer. I’ve never stopped practicing medicine so I must practice the art of writing to become all God expects me to be.
I intend to give Him my best. But the proof lies in my actions–not in my words. Good intentions without actions are a dead-end street. If I want to go someplace worthwhile there’ll be no more procrastinating for this girl.
Do you feel you’re at a dead-end with lack of direction? Give your good intentions to the Lord. Let Him give purpose to your life and action in your steps. Make God a partner in your plans and He will surely lead you toward success.
We humans make plans, but the Lord has the final word. We may think we know what is right, but the Lord is the judge of our motives. Share your plans with the Lord and you will succeed.
Proverbs 16:1-3 Contemporary English Version
Featured image courtesy of Canva
Congratulations on finishing your novel, Suzanne. That’s wonderful! Your message was a straight shot for me when it comes to dealing with my challenges. I overcommit with the best of intentions, but something always has to give way because I can’t do it all. Often it’s my writing goals that suffer. I prayed for you and your health goals You go girl!