Being Intentional

(from www.churchofscotland.org.uk)

Acts 16:13
On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.

Whenever I arrive in a strange place, instinct calls me to seek out a river or some other body of water. Walking by moving water enables me to process and shake off the burdens of the day and create the space for new experiences. The rhythm of walking, accompanied by the movement of the water bring refreshment and Renewal.
When the first apostles seek out the river as they go from city to city, they do so with purpose. They are intentionally seeking out those places where folk might gather so that they can engage them with the gospel. Their instincts took them to those places where people had reason to be. Be it the river or the market square, those early evangelists sought out such places with intention - so that they might engage in the mission of God.

Intentionality still goes a long way in gospel sharing. Wherever our routines take us, it’s what we do in those spaces that will shape the nature of our encounters. And so our daily routines, offered prayerfully to God, can become opportunities to witness to the hope that is within us. We don’t, necessarily have to change those places we hang out or even adopt different practices - but we can be more intentional about living out and engaging others with the faith that shapes us.
Every space is sacred space and the way we occupy space with the expectation of encountering God shapes the encounters we have with others.