Alignment with God

Today, we are going to discuss how to align yourself with God. Notice that I a did not say "how how we can get God to align with us". Think about it: most of us are from the 'Me Generation'. One thing that people of that generation are known for is manipulating situations to benefit themselves. We want something, we pray for it, we automatically think that God should blessed us with exactly what we want. Then, when we don't receive it right away, we get angry with God, sometimes to the point of turning our backs on Him.  Sound familiar? I would venture to guess that nine people out of 10 have, at one time or another, found themselves in exactly that situation. This lesson will aim to show us why we should align ourselves with God, instead of the other way around.

We take our lesson from Matthew 20, verses 20 through 23. This is a story about a mother who believed that her two sons deserved to be seated at the right hand side and at the left-hand side of Jesus in His kingdom (vs 20, 21). But Jesus, knowing what His future held, asked the sons, "Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with" (vs 22)? They hadn't a clue what Jesus was about to go through; the persecution and the crucifixion that He would experience was to much for any man.

This shows how a mother tried to have Jesus align with her wishes. In vs 22 and 23, Jesus asks the sons the two very important questions. When the sons answer, "We are able" (vs 22). In vs 23, He tells them how it's going to be. "You will indeed drink from My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with", meaning that the boys will go through persecution (drink from My cup), and they will be baptized (receive the Holy Spirit). But, and here's the catch, "To sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those whom it is prepared by My Father" (vs 23).

This short story is just one example of how God gently guides us back into alignment with Him. So the next time that you think that you "deserve" something, instead of getting mad at God when you do not receive it, try thanking Him.  He, more than likely, just saved you from a lot of heart ache.

Thank you for joining me today. God bless you and keep you until next we meet.