Dear Editor,

Are you out of alignment with God’s will for your life? When car wheels are out of alignment it causes uneven tread wear and in bad cases can cause trouble steering.

When we are out of alignment with God’s will for our lives it causes problems also, for both ourselves and others.

A Biblical example of this is the Apostle Paul. Before Jesus revealed Himself to Paul, he thought he was doing God’s will by persecuting the followers of Jesus. When Jesus appeared to Paul (then known as Saul) on the road to Damascus, He indicated his out of alignment status with the statement, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” In those days goads were used to steer oxen in the proper direction, much as the steering wheels on a vehicle are now used.

An even earlier Biblical instruction not only reinforces the concept of alignment with God, but also provides the means to stay in alignment. The ancient Israelites were commanded to only eat meat from land animals that have both cloven or divided hooves and chewed the cud. The cloven hooves are a metaphor for our alignment with God.

Although distinct from God, we are to be aligned with Him, going in the same direction alongside Him. Chewing the cud is a metaphor for meditating on God’s Word. As Psalm 1 states, “But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And in His Law he meditates day and night.”

The Bible indicates that those who are in alignment with God will be led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), will walk with God (Micah 6:8), and will agree with God (Amos 3:3).

What are the steps one should take to become aligned with God’s will? Proverbs 3:5,6 tells us we should, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Second, keep your eyes on Jesus. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to do what was humanly impossible (Matthew 14:28-30).

Finally, as 1 Peter 5:6-7 states, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Hollister McNeal

Warren