Be Intentional: Honoring God Through Purposeful Living, Worship, and Health

I would like for you to recall the story of Joseph—specifically the moment when Pharaoh had a troubling dream and required an interpreter. Word reached Pharaoh that there was a Hebrew man in prison who carried unusual wisdom.

Joseph was summoned to interpret the dream, but something interesting happened before he was brought into the king’s presence.

“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.” Genesis 41:14 (NKJV)

As a young Christian, this verse struck me deeply.

Pharaoh knew Joseph was in prison.

He knew Joseph had been forgotten, mistreated, and confined.

Pharaoh was also distressed— a time-sensitive distress—yet Joseph was not rushed into the king’s presence in a disheveled state.

He was cleaned up. He was prepared.

At the time, my takeaway was simple and somewhat superficial: You should dress well and look good when going to church because that’s where you meet God, the greatest King.

Over time, I realized that conclusion was flawed. God does not dwell in church buildings, and I do not need to wait until Sunday to come before Him. As the Holy Spirit matured my understanding, I began to see what He was truly highlighting in this passage.

It wasn’t about appearance. It was about intentionality.

Joseph was not brought before the king casually or carelessly.

There was thought, order, and preparation involved. His presentation reflected an understanding of who he was about to stand before.

We see this same principle again in the book of Esther. Before a woman could even qualify to meet the king, she underwent an entire year of preparation—months of purification, training, and refinement. Even though the king needed a wife and queen, the process was not rushed. Their full-time job was preparation—spa treatments, instruction, and finishing school—just to spend one night with the king, and perhaps be chosen.

All of this—for an earthly kingdom.

When we turn our attention to the Levitical priests coming before God under the old covenant, the intentionality becomes even more striking. God specified:

• The exact garments to be worn

• The tools to be used

• The animals to be sacrificed

• The incense, down to its ingredients

• Even the bloodline permitted to come before Him

This precision was not about restriction—it was about revelation. God was teaching His people how to recognize His holiness, cultivate reverence, and approach Him with awe and honor.

Now consider the new covenant.

God has chosen us as His dwelling place.

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

We no longer travel to a physical location or offer animal sacrifices.

We close our eyes. We bow our heads. We whisper words.

Access is immediate.

But here is the question that matters: Do we recognize and honor the God who dwells in us?

Do we carry a holy reverence for the most powerful Being who has chosen us as His home?

Do we recognize that everything He has entrusted to us—our time, ideas, opportunities, health, wealth, body, and mind—is precious not only to us, but to Him?

The lesson I’ve learned from Joseph’s encounter with Pharaoh has gone far beyond dressing up for church. It has shaped how I view all of life. If things had to be ordered before being presented to the king, how much more should care be taken with what is owned by the King?

So now, this is my posture:

• I am intentional with my spirit because it is owned by the King.

• I am intentional with my soul because it is owned by the King.

• I am intentional with my body because it is owned by the King.

  
  

My intentionality is not driven by fear of punishment, but by the knowledge that the grace of the God who loves me gives me the capacity to please Him.

God knows we cannot please Him in our own strength—so He supplies the grace.

• Because it pleases Him when we pray, He gives us the grace to pray.

• Because it pleases Him when we walk in patience, He gives us the fruit of patience.

• Because it pleases Him when we are not anxious, He gives us peace that surpasses understanding.

I believe it also pleases God for us to steward our bodies well—so He provides grace for health, wisdom for lifestyle choices, and strength to cultivate habits that support wholeness.

God has made full provision for us to present all of ourselves as worship.

The question is not can we—The question is will we?

I strongly encourage you to say yes.

Be intentional in recognizing and worshipping the God who dwells in you.

Be intentional in allowing God to use your mind to solve life’s problems.

Be intentional in stewarding your health so sickness does not hinder God’s purpose.

Be intentional with everything you do—because you belong to Yahweh.

I love you,

Oyin