Have you ever watched a butterfly? They’re beautiful, but they don’t make much sense. They flit and flot from plant to plant, never staying very long at each one. Their flight appears very erratic, as if they have no idea where they’re flying off to, but they can’t wait to get there. As they fly, they go up, down and around, but never in a straight line. Still, we watch them, mesmerized by their flight, wondering where they will land next.
Sometimes I feel like a butterfly. My life seems to have no course plotted. I find myself flitting and flotting from one thing to the next, with no real destination or goal in mind. My life seems to be controlled by each circumstance I encounter, causing me to light for a little while here, then a little while there—a haphazard way of living. I have to wonder, is this what God wants for me? Is this what God wants for you? I know one thing. If I were to live my life like this all the time, I would get to the end of it with a feeling that I had squandered my time here.
I know that God has put me on this earth for a purpose and that He has only given me a certain number of days. I want to make the most of the time He has given me. Flitting and flottting, jumping from one thing to another won’t help me do that. If I am to achieve my goal of serving God and becoming like Jesus then I need to fly in a straight line. The goal must always be within my line of sight and in the forefront of my mind. Even when I encounter life’s inevitable detours, with the goal in sight I can get right back on track.
To achieve my goal, I have to practice intentional living. Daily, I need to remind myself of the goal, and then plan my day so that by the end of it, I am a little closer to what I desire. Even life’s interruptions and unexpected events can be used to propel me closer to my goal. These interruptions give me opportunities to practice things like patience, kindness, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love, all of which will help to transform me in ways that will make me more like Jesus.
This life is the training ground God has prepared for me, the place of transformation, filled with opportunities to serve God and to share Him with those I meet. Time’s a wasting. I’m done flitting and flotting. My eyes are open and focused on the goal—my flight plan is intentional. I’m ready to soar. How about you?
I just read your article about “Taking Flight” and recently wrote a similar story for the inspiration section of my newsletter. My pastor, Ken Lang, taught me to be intentional this year and it’s served me well. It works in every aspect of my life, especially with my spiritual growth. The closer that I am to our Lord the less worried I feel, and the more I accomplish along the way.
Thanks for sharing!