God has been speaking to me about the word alignment.  He asked me, what are you aligning with?  I had to think about the answer to that.  If God is asking me a question, the answer is probably not very obvious to me and He wants me to think about my response.  (Remember, this is God I’m responding to.)  So, I muttered under my breath, God, why are you asking me that?  Shortly thereafter I picked up a book I was reading and there it was…the word alignment.  I began to think…God, is this from you?  Are you trying to get my attention?  And, what does it mean to be in alignment with something or someone?  I looked up the definition of the word alignment.  Now, you might be thinking to yourself…Really?  You don’t know the definition of alignment?   However, I want to explain how God speaks to us in small ways.  How He tries to get our attention.  How he tugs at our hearts to dig deeper.  This is one way.  You might hear a word.  See a word.  Then hear it again.  Now, He has your attention.  What is your response?  Stop.  Take action.  Dig deeper.  Respond.  That’s my recommendation. 

I dug a little deeper and here is what I found, the definition of the word alignment:  an arrangement in a straight line, or in correct or appropriate relative positions; the proper positioning or state of adjustment of parts in relation to each other; a position of agreement or alliance.

As I thought about the first definition, I couldn’t help but think about positioning.  Let’s read it again (with commentary in parenthesis), “an arrangement in a straight line (okay, so some folks are standing in line), or in correct or appropriate relative positions (are they 6 feet apart?  Ha ha); the proper positioning (there is a proper position?) or state of adjustment of parts in relation to each other (the relationship to the other parts in line are important).” 

So, what stuck out to you when reading the definition?  Anything?  Let’s stop for a minute and discuss time.  Connecting with God and hearing from God takes time.  Don’t underestimate that.  One way God speaks is in a gentle whisper.  This requires you sitting still.  Literally.  Sitting.  Still.  It might mean waking up early before your entire house is up and making requests of you or staying up late until everyone goes to bed.  This allows you to have a moment to yourself, just you and God, sitting still together.

Do you see how I’m taking my time here?  Do you see how I’m breaking down a simple definition?  I’m asking you to do the same.  Slow down.  No, don’t just slow down, stop.  Stop and think.  Give yourself a moment.  As the world is swirling around you, just stop.  Stop looking at your phone.  Stop watching t.v.  Stop doing chores, folding laundry and washing dishes.  Just stop.  Sit.  Be quiet.  Be still.  Be comforted.  Give yourself space to just stop.  Sit.  Be quiet.  Be still.  Be comforted.

Psalm 46 verse 10 tells us:  “He says, Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

So, if positioning is an important part of alignment, I had to ask myself, who is at the head of the line (in my life)?  For me, it should be God, not me.  This I know.  When I put myself, my concerns, my wants, my thoughts above God, I essentially am making myself the captain of my own ship.  I know from experience, that allowing God to lead me is best.  He only wants the best for me and since He is all knowing, why would I rely on anyone else (especially myself!)?  I want Him to be in control, always.  So, I had to ask myself, am I putting God first?  Is He the One I am in alignment or “in line” with and am I in the correct position, behind God?  I evaluated every area of my life that I could think of…I began asking God questions, question after question after question… 

Am I putting you first in my conversations God?

Am I putting you first when I wake up in the morning God?

Am I putting you first in my finances God?

Am I putting you first in my relationships God?

Am I putting you first in my career God?

Who is in charge of your conversations, your mornings, your finances, your relationships and your career? 

Are you magnifying life with your words or death?  Are you putting God first?  Where are your thoughts?  How do you spend your money?  Are you loving others the way God wants you to?  Is your career centered in Him?

I could go on and on.  I could spend days with God talking about getting myself and my life God-centered, right?  This is not a time to get overwhelmed.  This is a time to put your trust in the One who knows your heart and allow Him to correct the misalignments. 

I stop and ask for forgiveness.  Wait, first I thank Him.  Thank you, God, for opening my eyes and allowing me to look at this a little deeper.  Now, forgive me God for not putting you first in xyz (be specific). 

There’s more!  Oh, there’s more!  Let’s look at the second part of the definition, “a position of agreement or alliance.”  Now, ponder that, to be in agreement with.  This stopped me in my tracks.  I knew I had gotten to the root of what He was trying to reveal (at least to me).  Finally, something pierces your heart and you know, this is the part that’s for you.  I keep the dialogue open, okay, God, I’m ready.  Reveal my heart, what is in there that needs attention?  What am I doing that is not in alignment with you and your ways?  What am I not doing that I should be doing?  Be still and allow Him to speak. 

So, what does it mean to be in a position of agreement or alliance with God?  I went to the scriptures.  If you didn’t know, I’m going to tell you now, the Word of God is alive.  Meaning, it comes to life when you read it.  God has a way of using His Word to speak to our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  Give it a shot, you’ll see for yourself.

The first scripture I thought of is in Galatians chapter 5 verses 22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.” 

There are 686 references to love, there are 242 references to joy, 249 references to peace, 3 references to forbearance, 56 references to kindness, 19 references to goodness, 68 references to faithfulness, 6 references to gentleness and 13 references to self-control.  Do you want to dig deeper?  Do you need more love, joy, peace, etc. in your life?  Do you want to demonstrate those traits in your life?  Look up the individual scriptures regarding those fruits and God will show you.  And, what about your children or those in your life that surround you?  Are you showing up for them in a way that they see these traits in you?  This is what Jesus meant when He said, follow me.  Take on my traits and demonstrate them to the world (to those in your world).    

Let’s not skip over the verses that Paul writes just before writing about the nine fruits of the spirit.  Galatians chapter 5, verses 19-21 state, “Now, the works of the flesh are evident:  sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealously, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.  I warn you, as I warned you before that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” 

Now, I warn you, don’t let your mind wander off and begin thinking of others that you know that you think demonstrate the works of the flesh.  See how easily you were just self-reflecting then all of a sudden you shifted into judgement?  This is a time for you to be with God and allow Him to speak about your heart.  Tell your mind, “get back on track mind!”  (Later, you can go back and pray for those who you think are walking in the flesh.  How do you do that?  Pray the fruit of the spirit over them.)

Now, let us get back on track!  To be in alignment with God is to be in alignment with what God stands for and who God is.  Are you sure you know what God stands for?  I encourage you to take time today and ask Him.  Bring your questions to God!  Don’t assume you know.  Go to the source, go to His Word and allow Him to speak to you through His Word.  Be still and wait for Him to reveal the areas where you’re doing a great job and the areas that need to be re-aligned.  He is a gentle Father that wants what is best for us so don’t be afraid to share your heart with Him.

Here’s a prayer you can pray:

God, thank you that you have a plan and purpose for my life.  I agree that you can speak to me and I want to hear your voice.  I give the Holy Spirit permission to lead me in your truth.  Help me to demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Stop me in my tracks and quicken my heart if I begin to walk in the works of the flesh so I may be in alignment with you.  I want to be in proper alignment with you.  I put you first God in my life, in my career and in my relationships.  I want you to lead me.  I pray that this week I will find time to be still with you and I pray you would speak to my heart.  Amen.