Intentionality vs. Spirit

The word "intentional" gets thrown around in Christian circles more than "post-modern" in the secular world. However it seems by very nature to be in opposition to what many call "living by the Spirit". Both terms are rather ambiguous but still are at the heartbeat of what it means to be a Jesus follower. I am intentional about writing in this blog, there is purpose and causality in it. The same should be true about walking by the spirit but often times there isn't

Let me see if i can explain this better. Many people i would lob into a more reformed orthodoxy pursue intentionality. That is when they are in the world they are purposeful in bringing up Christ in conversation, sharing his truth, praying without ceasing, studying God's word, etc. But by saying being intentional about it often times it carries this sense of friction that we must wil-powerfully overcome if we are going to live the kind of life Jesus beckons us to. So this tension between old and new man is only overcome by tighting my bootstraps, gritting my teeth, and forcing everything about my christian walk.

On the other hand you have many more charismatically oriented individuals who pray much more for the direction and guidance of the holy spirit waiting for days and months at a time for God to speak, paint, smokescreen, a picture or direction for their life. They pray for oppurtunities to share as the Holy Spirit orchestrates their days. Now certainly i am oversimpllyifying this a bit but is it really necessary to pray for oppurtunities? Is not every single person i run into everyday in class, spider-house, home, etc a individual created by God to enjoy him. Why should i ask God to deliver some and not all? Now you could go overboard with that and try a save the word brand of Christianity which does no one any good but my problem is with the distinction.

Has God given me a mind and the tools to go forward trusting Him? Or has he made me a somewhat passive receptacle needing to be told when and where to go, how to speak, etc. My calvinism tells me God is behind this whole process but finding my niche and form is the hardest part. I really was much more certain at the begining of this blog but now im not sure where the middle ground is...any thoughts? Does anyone read this.....?

B-love