My Singular Intention

I'm spending the week at a condo on the beach.  It’s our annual family beach trip when we take the week off to rest, relax, and decompress in the sun and waves.  There’s no agenda, no schedule, no work, no pressure, no distraction from the simple intention of reconnecting and celebrating the love we share for each other . . . and the beach.

Part of what makes this such a wonderful experience is the planning and preparation done in advance.  We spent untold hours searching for a condo that would accommodate our growing family, give us a front row seat on the ocean, and offer comfort and quality while staying within our budget.  We wrote out menus and grocery lists, packed swimsuits and games, put holds on mail and newspaper delivery, and lined up redundancy plans for work responsibilities.  We thought ahead for what games, movies, and sport equipment we wanted to include.  My daughter even cancelled the Facebook App on her phone, determined to take a break from even this distraction.

The addition of Adelyn, our six-month-old granddaughter, into the mix has called for some new considerations.  Each of us sport outfits complimented by spit-up, we’re more quiet when she’s napping, and we know any excursions taking place outside the condo need to be planned before her 7:00 pm bedtime.  All of these adjustments are happily accommodated with respect and consideration for each family member. Our singular intention is to be available in every way for the overall experience.

I doubt my family is unique in how we plan for a vacation.  Most people reading this blog will be nodding their heads, remembering their own trips. 

Then the Lord told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.   Exodus 19:10-11

When the Lord invited the Israelites to meet with him at Mount Sinai, he instructed Moses that the people were to take three days to prepare.  Three days of planning, preparing, and intentional activities so they could be fully immersed in the experience – fully present in the moment.  God’s invitation required—and deserved—this.

We are invited on a weekly basis to meet with God.  His invitation is as real and important today as it was over 3000 years ago to a group of ancient Hebrew wanderers.  

Do I put the same kind of time and energy into meeting my God—the Creator of the universe, the Savior of my soul, the Provider of my very existence—that I do in meeting my family for a week at the beach?  Is my aim for quality time as determined?  Am I as careful to respect and consider the experience of the rest of those around me?  Is my singular intention to accept God’s invitation and be available in every way for the overall experience?

If not, why not?  What practices can I incorporate in my life to make that change?  How do I move from looking at my weekly corporate worship experience as more than a routine task to check off my list and become fully immersed in the sacred moment?

Tami Cinquemani