I first heard Holy Spirit speak these three words to me sometime mid-January. I knew they were specific direction for 2023. Initially, I assumed they were just for me, personally. That changed on the final afternoon of January (1/31/23). As Holy Spirit gave me an almost instant download to their application, I realized this was something I needed to share.

Intentional

First, I want to say that I have heard others mention this word with respect to our actions this year. However, it was not just this one word that I heard. It was the first of a 3-part directive.

That said, we need to understand what this word means. Per Merriam Webster’s online Unabridged Dictionary, the word “intentional” means to be “done by intention or design.”[1] It is not extremely helpful when the definition of a word contains a different form of the same word. So, I dug further. “Intention” is defined as “an action of intending.”[2] That’s still using a different form of the word to define the word.

Continuing to drill down finally pays off. “Intend” means “to have in mind, have reference to, refer to; to have in mind as an object to be gained or achieved; or to design for or destine to a specified purpose or future.” [3] It can also mean “to direct the mind on, attend to, take care of.”

I knew Holy Spirit was saying that we need to either “have in mind as an object to be gained or achieved” or “design for or destine to a specified purpose or future.” We cannot just take things as they come this year. We have to “have in mind” the objective to be “gained or achieved” this year. We need to make sure that we are designing what we do with that objective or purpose in mind. Further, we need to make sure that we are keeping it in mind in all that we do and attending to what is needed to reach the objective. 2023 is not a year to see come to an end and say, “Oh, well. We didn’t get everything done that we should have, but there’s always next year. We’ll do better next year.” We must remain intentional about what we do.

However, in order to be intentional about what we do, we must first know what we are called (dare I say, appointed) to do. The first portion of Proverbs 29:19 tells us that “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained.” We cannot afford to be unrestrained this year, doing whatever seems good to us. We must know our kingdom assignment for the year and we must be intentional about fulfilling it.

Focused

Again turning to Merriam Webster, “focused” means that we are “giving direct attention and effort to a specific task or goal” or “having very clear and definite goals and ambitions.”[4] Once we have our vision for this year or this season (however long that is for you) and identify the objectives of our assignment(s) – there may be more than one – we need to remain focused on those objectives. Going back to one of the definitions of intentional, we need to constantly “direct [our] mind” to completing the tasks required to meet the objectives and see the vision fulfilled.

Do not allow other things to come in and cause you to lose focus. Don’t let the seed of that vision fall on the road, or on rocky soil, or among thorns. (Reference the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8:5-15.] In 2023, we need to make sure we are hitting the 100% mark, not falling short and failing to complete our full assignment.

Fearless

Finally, we will need to be fearless this year to do what God is calling us to do.

Most of us are well aware of Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7. The New King James Version states it this way: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I like the New American Standard Bible’s translation better (and believe it to be the more accurate one). It says, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

The Greek word translated as fear in the KJV and timidity in the NASB is “deilia” and can be translated as “timidity, fearfulness, or cowardice.”[5] The English word “fear” carries with it the connotation of a physical reaction. In the context of this verse, the author seems to be implying more a lacking of courage or self-confidence to speak up, which is the definition of “timidity.”[6]

The Greek word that is translated as “sound mind” in the KJV and “discipline” in the NASB is “sophronismos.” It means “an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control.”[7] Again, I believe the NASB to be the better rendering. Paul goes on to say in verse 8, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.” He is telling Timothy to not be timid, not be shy, about spreading the gospel, but discipline himself to do so and not be ashamed of it or of the fact that his mentor, Paul, is in prison because of it. Yes, that means potentially risking the same fate. It would be easy to be fearful of that. Hence the need for disciple or self-control.

To Summarize

This year, we need to first know what God is calling us to accomplish. Then we must remain intentional and focused on accomplishing it by constantly keeping it in mind and working towards the objectives. At times, we will have to be fearless, stepping out of any timidity into the boldness or confidence we have in Christ.

May we be like Peter and John, after they had been arrested and held overnight by the temple guards and then questioned by the Annas and Caiaphas and others of the “high-priestly descent.”[8] Not knowing what to do with them (for fear of the people), they threatened them and let them go.[9] Upon their release, “they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.”[10] Then they prayed the following prayer.

“²⁹And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, ³⁰while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” ³¹And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29-31, NASB