The path to Hell is paved with good intentions!
While it may sound like something that would be found in the Bible, it is just an adage from the book of quotes and old wives tales. But like all other quotes and wives tales, they stay current because they have a ring of truth to them. The best of intentions don’t amount to a hill of beans if they stay as intentions only. They have to be put into motion or actions to come to fruition. If you intend to pay your electric bill, but don’t, the electric gets shut off, your intentions don’t get the job done. The same can be said of losing weight, visiting a sick friend, or going to church. All these things must have actions behind them to make them come to life. So many times on social media I see things like, “my prayers are with you, or I’m here if you need me, etc.… But if you don’t actually stop and take a moment to pray, or send a note, or stop by and see your friend, it is just lip service. Life can get busy and we can’t keep track of our own comings and goings, but if you have the time to post on FB, TW, or anywhere else, you have the time to pray for that friend. Your good intentions don’t mean a thing to anyone, except making yourself feel good! So in this New Year let’s all vow to put actions behind our good intentions. When we stand before the pearly gates and ask for admission, they will say, your name is not written down in the book of life. Your reaction may be, “well I intended to get saved.” Their response will be, “sorry, good intentions are not enough!”
As parents we need to teach our children about the difference between doing something and intending to do something. That their word should stand for something, and to follow through with promises and vows they make. Should of, could of, would of, should not be part of their vocabulary.
We as authors can be procrastinators just like anyone else. If we tell our agents we will have so many chapters, or a manuscript turned in, we had better get it done, because there, just like anywhere else, good intentions aren’t enough!
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
Proverbs 21:2
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 14:12
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:7-9