Sometimes we say we want one thing, but end up doing something different. That’s what happened to McDonald’s (the hamburger giant) in 1991. The public wanted a healthier menu item so they came up with the McLean. It was cheese burger that was 91% fat free and made up of seaweed. The public said they wanted healthy but continued to eat Big Macs. The McLean became the McFlop.

More than we hope, we live in the gap of our intention and action. What we say we want to do we don’t always get done. We want to save money but “life” happens and we spend. We want deep friendships but we don’t make the time for memories. We want a deeper spiritual life but we don’t join a small group or do our daily Bible reading or attend on a Sunday morning.

As we reflect on King Josiah of Judah who reigned about 604BC, we discover he focused on God not moving to the left nor the right. At the end of his life the text says there was not a greater king before him or after him in Judah. His story can be found in 2 Kings 22-23. So, how did he accomplish that?

Like Josiah, we have to understand the power of God’s Word and read it for ourselves. We must allow the words of God to transform us and change us from the heart out. Josiah had a profound respect for God’s Word. We must elevate God’s Word to guide us and coach us on how to live. Josiah looked at culture through the Word of God to see what aligned with how to live. If it didn’t align, Josiah moved it out of the way.

Josiah also went very public with his commitment and conviction about who God was in his life. Some of us live in the gap of wanting to follow God but hesitating. Sometimes, that’s called being on the fence. Well, Satan owns the fence. Josiah tore down all the idols in Judah so the people could worship the one true God. While we don’t bow down to a physical altar, we all have idols in our life that we need to tear down as well. God has a lot of competition.

So, you and I have to deal with the distractions that keep us from fully focusing on God and embracing his Son, Jesus Christ. Sometimes those distractions are innocent. Our kids can be the excuse we are not involved in God’s plan for our life. Not allowing our comfort to be interrupted could be the thing we worship. All the social media and digital media can be the thing that pulls us to the left or right.

Did you know the average person looks at their phone 50 times a day? 40% of smart phone users say they feel lost if they are away from the phone for only an hour. 30% of married couples say their smart phone has taken away intimacy in their marriage. We have a desire to connect to God but there are idols that get in our way.

The opposite of intentional is accidental. Don’t live an accidental life. Live on purpose for Jesus. This holiday season is a perfect opportunity to think about how you can reconnect to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We too could have a responsive heart, a humbled life, and an outward life style that shows we serve a risen savior and him only.

May you feel the strength of the Spirit in your life. May you embrace the relationship God wants to have with you. May you live on purpose to lift up the Name of Jesus. Blessings on your journey!