Alignment Matters
Scripture: Proverbs 16:2-3 & 9
Verse 2-3 “All a persons ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.”
These two verses call us to pause evaluate the things we do and the motives behind our actions. It’s easy to overlook checking ourselves in this way because no one ever assumes that their motives are wrong. Whether in doing things for ourselves, for God, or for others, etc the question to be asked is, what is the posture of your heart while doing these things?
“We need God to reach into the deepest recesses of our spirit and reveal what is truly going on there. Then and only then can we know if an action in which we are engaging - a path we are taking - a word we are speaking - is the right or godly one.”
When the posture of your heart is correctly aligned with God, your desires, thoughts, and plans are made new and pure because it’s coming out of the overflow of submitting all that you do and say before him. When we do this God promises that he will establish our plans…according to his will for our lives. The only way to commit our ways to God is by spending time in his presence and creating an atmosphere that allows us to hear from the Holy Spirit.
This then takes us to verse 9 - “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” This verse has been ringing in my mind for the past couple of days. Not every plan we have is aligned with his course for our lives. For this very reason, we must always lay all our plans at the feet of Jesus. This is an aspect of full surrender.
At this point, it’s clear we need to drop our need to be in control. This hits home personally because I’ve learned the hard way what happens when we try to validate visions and desires - chasing them instead of getting in communion with God and asking him to lead us in truth and wisdom. The lesson was very costly but also valuable.
In conclusion, just because you feel a strong desire for something doesn't mean it’s in alignment with God’s will for your life. Stop chasing ideas, people, and visions that haven’t been validated by God. Ask him to reveal the things that you may be blinded to. These scriptures make clear the importance to seek God in all we do. I pray that today you would choose to seek his counsel and spend time in his presence.
Psalm 139:23-24 is a guide on how to invite God into your heart and align yourself with him. A prayer of humility and submission.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
