Whose intentions?

Intention and Decision

Throughout this fine book. Dallas Willard admonishes us to be intentional. He emphasizes that especially on pages 297-299. " Intention and decision are absolutely fundamental in this matter of apprenticeship to Jesus..."

But I wonder whose intentions are they really... ours or His? If intention / decision here is the same as surrender, then I'm on board. Most of my life, I have lived intentionally, decisively. They were my intentions and my decisions. Me being, me deciding, me thinking, me speaking, me doing... independently (of God or anyone else). If it is to be it's up to me... Illusory? Yup. Painful? Definitely.

Next, I believed I could come alongside God. I had more intentions and made more decisions, in a kind of symbiotic partnership with Him. But I did not surrender to Him. I did not submit.

Finally, after finding not much success in any part of myself, I gave up. I surrendered and tried living dependently... on God. This was actually pretty easy after getting a glimpse of His omnipresence - omnicience - omnipotence (He's the Man). Now, I ask for and wait for His intentions, His decisions. These days, I gladly live under His mission (submission).

God's Intention and Our Institution

Always the academician, Dallas suggests a Curriculum for Christlikeness in chapter 9. I wonder about our ability to pull this off. Must we rely on our own thinking, our own intentions, or own decisions? It seems to me the assignment is simpler, more childlike, and more elegant... first, be a son. And, receive a son's legacy. This, so we can become fathers.

Now, that's different from going to seminary, memorizing scripture, becoming pastors, having an institutional vehicle, etc. It seems to me that discipling (ourselves and others) is less a conscious curriculum than a life of dependence. I am concerned that thrall (Dallas' word) in methodological and theological doctrines can thwart God. There are no formulas! No institution can replace Him. Perhaps Dallas has something else in mind. I will find out in the next chapters...