Intentional

Something we discussed at YoungLife Leadership this week was the idea of intentional relationships and how truly important they are. When going to a high school to hang out with kids, we need to know them by name and take the time to go to them, choose them, and give them a since of love they might not get everyday. This got me thinking...is it not important to be intentional in all relationships? Maybe that is one of the reasons our world is so broken.

If we would stop to take the time to truly get to know others, give them our time and full attention whole heartedly rather than begrudgingly. Here is the kicker though: Jesus did it. In Luke 19 the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector is told. He couldn't see Jesus in the crowd so he climbed a tree. Seems simple right? Think about in today's world how hard it is to see Jesus. High school, college, even adults are constantly blinded from Jesus by the distractions of the world. Facebook, studying, and Twitter are what get in my way. Jesus pointed to Zacchaeus, called him by name, and told him he wanted to hang out with him. Zacchaeus. The chief tax collector. The head honcho of the guys ripping the innocent off. Jesus wanted to spend time with Zacchaeus.

I am blown away by the love of God every day. He comes to us just as we are where we are and wants to spend time with us. This is a concept so many of us miss with one another. Being genuine and caring to everyone we meet? That's tough. But striving to live like Christ is not easy. If the world was intentionally relating to one another think of how different it would be.

Jesus is such a cool dude.