The world is filled with good intentions.

Whether Christian or not, most people only have the best intentions behind their actions. It is human nature to want to do good things. At least, that is what we intend. We mean to do well. We mean to do things that help, not hurt people.  We mean to make the right choices.

But as in everything in life, intentions don't make an impact. The actions that follow them do.

I recently witnessed this in a close friend. They created a plan to help someone, expressed their ideas to a larger group who could take part in the plan, and made promises to get started immediately. But after a few weeks, nothing had happened. The problem still existed, but my friend who'd promised to fix it had not acted. By not following through, they left a problem unsolved and a flurry of people still waiting to pitch in. This is so easy to fall into.

We might see something, want to act, and plan to act. But if all we make is empty promises, no fruit is produced.

If we're not careful, we can live our faith the same way. We hear the Word, love the Word, and have all intentions of following the Word. We might profess our faith openly and express our desire to live well. But when the realities of living out a lifestyle that is so different than what others are choosing hits us, our intentions fall by the wayside.

It's tough to do the right thing.  Even tougher is the call to live the right lifestyle, the one we've been called to lead by God.

As we leave this season of celebrating the One whose intentions are always for our well-being, I encourage each of you to give some thought to your faith. To make a move to live what you believe. To follow through with your plan for living in Him.  And to give the world an example to follow. Intentionally.

Laura Polk is a wife and mother of three who has a passion for teaching young women that God is in the details of their lives. She has contributed to various magazines, websites and blogs and is currently working on a YA novel. While contributing to other ministries, she is building one of her own through a tween website that targets girls ages 8-11. Check out her blog or watch her website grow.