Daily Christian Journey

Do you ever feel like you’re living two different lives?

There’s the Sunday You—the one who sits in church, sings the worship songs, maybe even volunteers with the kids’ ministry. You feel that spiritual high, that sense of connection, and you think, this is it.

But then there’s the Monday-through-Saturday You. The you that’s stuck in traffic, staring at a spreadsheet, breaking up sibling squabbles, and scrolling through social media until your eyes glaze over. By Wednesday, that Sunday feeling is a distant memory, and your faith feels less like a roaring fire and more like a dusty book on a shelf. You’re going through the motions, checking the boxes, but deep down, there’s a spiritual itch you just can’t scratch. A feeling that there has to be more than this.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I lived that way for years. My faith was something I did on Sundays, not something I was every day. I was running on a spiritual autopilot, coasting through life and wondering why I felt so unfulfilled.

The problem is that we live in a world of constant noise. Our phones buzz, our calendars are packed, and a thousand voices are screaming for our attention. It’s a world that pushes us toward distraction and reaction, not depth and purpose. But what if we could trade that life of spiritual drifting for one of purpose and direction?

That’s what this is all about. It’s called Intentional Christian Living. And it’s not another set of rules or a new program to add to your already-packed schedule. It’s a liberating shift in perspective. It’s about choosing to do things “on purpose for a purpose.” It’s about purposefully pursuing the life God has called you to live by aligning your daily, ordinary choices with your deepest beliefs. It’s about waking up and deciding that your faith isn’t just for Sunday morning—it’s for every moment of your beautiful, messy, wonderful life.

Why We’re All Craving a Deeper, More Intentional Faith

Have you noticed this shift? Blogs about keeping the Sabbath, podcasts about spiritual disciplines, and Instagram accounts dedicated to daily scripture are exploding in popularity. This isn’t a random trend. It’s a collective cry for something more, a deep-seated response to the world we live in.

We’re living in an age of distraction. Some have called our modern, hyper-connected world a “digital Babylon.” We are immersed in an environment of endless information, constant notifications, and curated perfection that makes it incredibly difficult to find quiet, meaning, or a connection to God. We scroll for hours, consuming content but never feeling full. Intentionality is the antidote. It’s the conscious choice to unplug from the noise and plug into the source of true life.

We’re searching for authenticity. Many people, especially in the younger generations, are tired of a faith that feels plastic or disconnected from real life. They are looking for honest conversations about the hard parts of faith, the doubts, and the struggles. They don’t want a faith that’s confined to a church building; they want a faith that informs how they work, how they love, how they spend their money, and how they navigate a complex culture. They want a faith that is integrated into every part of their being.

We’re burned out. Our culture glorifies busyness. We wear our exhaustion like a badge of honor. But this relentless pursuit of productivity is leaving us drained, anxious, and empty. Intentional living, especially through ancient practices like the Sabbath, offers a radical, life-giving alternative. It’s a declaration that our worth isn’t found in what we produce, but in who we are as beloved children of God.

This hunger for a more authentic faith has led to a fascinating paradox. As we push back against the emptiness of a consumer-driven world, we often find ourselves approaching spirituality with a consumer’s mindset. We curate our faith “products”—the perfect podcast, the most aesthetic Bible app, the right devotional, the most inspiring worship playlist. We are, in a sense, using the methods of consumer culture (choice, personalization) to fight the spiritual void that culture creates.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with this; it’s a natural response to having so many resources at our fingertips. But the real transformation happens when we move from simply consuming faith content to truly embodying a life of faith. The goal isn’t just to curate a spiritual-looking life for our own satisfaction, but to surrender our lives to God’s will. It’s about moving from being a shopper of spiritual goods to being a follower of Jesus.

From Autopilot to On-Purpose: My Story of Trading a Checklist Faith for a Transformed Life

For a long time, my Christian life looked pretty good from the outside. I was the classic “pew sitter.” I went to church, I tithed, I tried to be a good person. But my faith was a mile wide and an inch deep. It was a faith of convenience, one that I pulled out when I needed something—a blessing, a parking spot, a little bit of peace. I was living in survival mode, reacting to life’s circumstances instead of living with a God-given purpose.

Internally, I was a mess of anxiety and frustration. I felt like I was constantly failing, never quite measuring up. My life was built on the shaky foundation of my own efforts and achievements. I was obsessed with my image, with being the perfect mom, the successful professional, the “good Christian.” I was exhausted from trying to hold it all together.

My turning point wasn’t a lightning bolt from heaven. It was a slow, quiet unraveling. It was a health scare that forced me to confront my own mortality. It was looking at my kids and realizing I wanted to pass on a faith that was real and alive, not a set of tired traditions. It was the crushing weight of my own inadequacy that finally brought me to my knees. In the quiet of my heart, I finally surrendered. I admitted that my way wasn’t working. I was tired of running the show. I told God, “Your will, not mine.”

That prayer didn’t magically fix all my problems. But it changed everything.

Choosing to live intentionally meant my focus shifted. Instead of asking, “God, what can you do for me?” I started asking, “God, what do you want to do through me?” Instead of seeing my circumstances as the source of my happiness, I started seeing Christ as my unshakeable foundation.

My priorities began to change. Time with God in the morning became more important than an extra 30 minutes of sleep. Serving a neighbor became more fulfilling than binge-watching another show. The change wasn’t instantaneous. It was—and still is—a journey. Some days I get it right; many days I don’t. But as the musician Bono once said about his own faith journey, “I was really lost, I’m a little less so at the moment. And then a little less and a little less again.” That’s what this intentional life feels like. It’s a gradual, grace-filled process of becoming a little less lost, a little more found, every single day.

The 2025 Intentional Faith Challenge: 25 Simple Ways to Live for Jesus Every Day

So how do we start? How do we move from theory to practice? I want to invite you on an adventure. Think of this not as a legalistic to-do list, but as a year of spiritual growth. It’s about creating simple rhythms and habits that open up space for God to work in your life. Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection.

Part 1: Rhythms of Grace: Your Morning & Evening Blueprint

1. Win the Morning, Win the Day. Before your feet even hit the floor, praise God for one thing. It can be as simple as the breath in your lungs or the sun shining through your window.
2. First Five for Faith. Spend the first five minutes of your day in prayer or Scripture, before you check your phone. This small act reorients your entire day around God’s presence.
3. Create Your Worship Commute. Make a worship playlist on Spotify and listen on your way to work, while making breakfast, or during your morning workout.
4. Practice the “Digital Sunset.” Turn off your phone and all screens at least one hour before bed. This quiets your soul and prepares you for restful sleep.
5. End with a Gratitude Journal. Before you go to sleep, write down three specific things you’re thankful for from the day. This practice trains your heart to see God’s goodness everywhere.
6. Cast Your Cares. Verbally release your worries and your to-do list for the next day to God. Picture yourself placing them in His capable hands.
7. Prepare for Purpose. The night before, lay out your Bible and journal in a designated spot. Removing this tiny bit of friction makes it so much easier to show up for your quiet time.

Part 2: Spiritual Strength-Training: Disciplines for a Busy Life

8. Memorize a Verse a Week. Write a verse on a notecard and put it on your bathroom mirror or car dashboard. Start with something simple like Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
9. Take a “Prayer Walk.” Use a 15-minute break to walk around your neighborhood or office park, praying for the people and places you see.
10. Practice Stillness. This one is hard but powerful. Set a timer for just three minutes. Sit in silence and simply be present with God. Don’t ask for anything; just rest in His presence.
11. Fast from a Distraction. Once a week, choose to fast from something other than food—like social media, Netflix, or complaining—and use the time you gain for prayer.
12. Study One Verse. Instead of feeling pressured to read whole chapters when you’re busy, pick one single verse and meditate on it throughout the day. Ask God what it means for your life right now.
13. Listen to the Word. Use a Bible app to listen to Scripture while you’re driving, doing chores, or working out. Let God’s Word wash over you.
14. Journal Your Prayers. Writing your prayers in a notebook can help focus a wandering mind. It also creates an amazing record of God’s faithfulness to look back on.
15. Practice Solitude (Even for 10 Minutes). Find a quiet spot—a closet, your parked car, a park bench—to be truly alone with God, away from all the noise.

Part 3: Faith in the Wild: Living It Out in Your World

16. Serve Without an Agenda. Do one small act of service for a family member, coworker, or neighbor without expecting anything in return.
17. Practice Hospitality. Invite someone over for a simple meal. It doesn’t have to be a fancy, Pinterest-perfect dinner. The goal is connection, not performance. Pizza on paper plates counts!
18. Be an Encourager. Send one text or email each day with the specific purpose of encouraging someone.
19. Ask “How Can I Pray for You?” This simple question can open doors to incredible conversations. Ask it to your server at a restaurant, the cashier at the grocery store, or a friend who is struggling.
20. Give Generously and Spontaneously. Keep a small amount of cash on hand specifically to give away when you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you.
21. Start a Simple Small Group. Invite two or three friends to read a chapter of the Bible together once a month over coffee. Keep it simple and low-pressure.
22. Share Your Story. Be ready to share a simple “before and after” story of how Jesus has made a difference in your life. It doesn’t have to be dramatic; it just has to be real.
23. Listen Well. In your next conversation, make it your goal to ask questions and truly listen rather than planning what you’ll say next. This is a powerful, and rare, way to love others.
24. Choose Forgiveness. Intentionally choose to forgive someone who has wronged you. This isn’t for them; it’s for you. It’s about releasing the burden to God.
25. Celebrate! Practice the spiritual discipline of celebration. Intentionally mark moments of God’s goodness—big or small—with joy and thanksgiving.

How to Make Sundays Holy Again (Without the Burnout)

Of all the spiritual disciplines, perhaps none is more counter-cultural or more needed today than the Sabbath. But for many of us, the idea is terrifying. It feels impossible. We’re conditioned for 24/7 activity, we’re afraid of legalism and “getting it wrong,” and honestly, we lack the humility to believe the world can function without us for one day. Our “day of rest” often becomes a day of errands, chores, and catching up, leaving us more exhausted than when we started.

But the Sabbath isn’t supposed to be a burden; it’s a gift. It’s a “palace in time” where we can find rest and restoration. The goal isn’t just to stop working, but to start delighting in God, in His creation, and in our relationships.

Here’s a simple framework to reclaim your Sunday:

1. REST (Cease): Intentionally stop doing the things that drain you. This includes your job, of course, but also the endless chores, the meal prepping, and even the “fruitless escapes” like mindless scrolling or binge-watching that don’t actually restore your soul. Identify what isn’t restful for you and make a plan to handle those things on other days.
2. RESTORE (Delight): Fill that newly created space with activities that bring you life and joy. This is deeply personal! It could be taking a long nap, reading a novel, going for a hike in nature, working on a hobby, or having an epic Lego battle with your kids. The goal is to do things that restore your soul.
3. RECONNECT (Worship & Community): Use the day to intentionally connect with God and your loved ones. This absolutely includes gathering with your church family for corporate worship. But it also means personal prayer, reading Scripture for pleasure, having deep conversations, and sharing a meal together without being rushed.

The Sabbath is a profound act of defiant trust. In our culture that worships productivity, choosing to stop is a powerful declaration. It’s a tangible way of saying, “God is the one who sustains the universe, not my own frantic effort. My work for six days is enough. God’s provision is enough.” It is the ultimate expression of trusting in the Lord with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding. It’s where we stop finding our identity in what we do and start resting in who we are in Christ.

A Sabbath for the Whole Family

• Start a Tradition: Light a special Sabbath candle on Saturday night or have a special Sunday morning breakfast (pancakes and waffles!) to signal the beginning of your rest time.
• Go on a “Creation Safari”: Explore a local park or even your own backyard. Give your kids a list of things to find—a smooth rock, a yellow flower, a busy ant—and talk about how creative God is.
• Build a Fort and Read Aloud: Create a cozy space in the living room and read Bible stories or other life-giving books together.
• Family Worship Time: Put on a worship playlist and have a family dance party or sing-along. Let it be joyful and a little silly.
• Serve Together: Do a simple act of kindness as a family, like baking cookies for a neighbor or writing cards for people in a local nursing home.

Your First Step Starts Now

Reading a post like this can feel overwhelming. Twenty-five challenges? A whole new way to approach Sunday? It’s a lot. But please hear this: this is a journey of grace, not a performance review. There will be days you forget to pray, weeks you don’t memorize a verse, and Sundays that feel anything but restful. That’s okay. God’s grace is bigger than your missteps. The goal is not to become a perfect Christian overnight, but simply to walk a little more closely with Christ today than you did yesterday.

So, don’t try to do all 25 things at once. That’s a recipe for burnout.

Instead, I want to challenge you to take one small step. Just one. Look back over that list and pick the one that feels the most doable, the most life-giving for you right now.

Maybe it’s putting your phone away an hour early tonight.

Maybe it’s sending that encouraging text you’ve been meaning to send.

Maybe it’s taking three minutes to sit in silence before the chaos of the day begins.

Just start somewhere. Because an intentional life is built not on grand, sweeping gestures, but on a thousand small, faithful choices.

You can do this. And you don’t have to do it alone. God is with you, cheering you on, and He is the one who will take your small acts of intentional faith and use them to do something extraordinary in your life.