How to Advance in Alignment with God
One of the key indicators of alignment is advancement. Life is designed to move forward. A newborn advances to become a toddler who crawls, a child who walks, a teenager, a youth, and finally an adult—no stagancy, just forward movement.
This is what advancement is—making progress, improvement, promotion to a higher place of dignity, etc., all purposefully. However, if one’s life is not properly aligned with God’s plans and/or the natural progression of life, there will be no advancement.
As a christian, God’s desire for you is not only to advance but to experience uncommon advancement. That is, enjoying results beyond your efforts and setting the pace by God’s intervention. Advancement is characterized by rising, acceleration, elevation, promotion, success, and exaltation; hence, anyone who desires to advance in life must be intentional with their alignment with God. Nothing happens by chance; nothing happens by accident.
The Bible offers great insight into God’s plan for humanity to advance in life, especially His purpose for the future in Jeremiah 29:11.
Are you at a crossroads in your life? Do you feel stagnant? Are you frustrated? Are you ready to discover God’s plan for your life? Here are six ways to align with God’s plan for your life.
Allow the Holy Spirit to Lead You
Romans 8:14 says, “For all those who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons.” One of the greatest gifts God offers us is the privilege of being led by His Spirit. Being led by the Holy Spirit provides us with the wisdom of God to make the right decisions—one that enables us to make decisions today knowing what tomorrow holds. Our ability to tap into our calling is much easier when we make decisions based on the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit.
What many people fail to realize is that you can develop a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” This scripture proves that the Holy Spirit is not only a personal guide but also a teacher.
Wouldn’t you want the Holy Spirit to be your forever teacher?
Discover Who You Are in Christ
It’s important to start the exploration of our calling with the call to follow Jesus. You are created in His image. Your purpose as a believer is to know Jesus and make Him known, thereby populating the Kingdom of God. There is no way to follow God’s purpose for your life if you do not first discover who you are in Christ.
Our oneness with God glorifies Him in our lives. In the same vein, we are empowered to live a greater life in Christ and advance as He wills. Therefore, the first step to follow God’s purpose for your life is to first, discover yourself in Christ.
How can you do this? Allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and draw you closer to Jesus—He is always ready to hold your hands in the journey of life if you let him (Isaiah 45:1-3). The Bible tells us that we will receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus and the eyes of understanding will be enlightened (Ephesians 1:17-18). God reveals a calling only to those who accept Jesus as Savior. Knowing Him intimately will change you.
Let Go of Distractions
In this world, it’s so easy to get distracted but if we want to fulfill God’s calling for our lives, we must refuse to be distracted, particularly by negative advances made by the enemy. The Bible tells us, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16). When we’re trying to build up things like our careers, our families, even our finances, it is so easy to get sidetracked. It’s important that we keep the most important things in focus so that we are not distracted. One great way to do this is by designating time for prayer and meditation daily. Before you rush out in the morning, spend time with God and pray that His Will be done in your life.
Give God Your Best
The plan God has for your life can only be accomplished when you give the best of your time, efforts, gifts, and focus on your specific task. The Bible tells us, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12.
Just as Timothy was focused and committed to God’s call without distraction, even by those around him, we, too, should model this in our own lives. As you grow in your relationship with Christ, separate yourself from the distractions that hold you back.
Trust God’s Judgment
God knows what’s best for your life, even when you can’t understand His plan for you. This is one of the reasons it’s so important to trust God’s judgment. The Bible tells us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Trusting God needs to be the first stepping stone on your faith journey. God had a plan for you before you were even born and His plans will always be greater and more beautiful than all your disappointments.
We can follow His plan by believing that He has everything in control and that His dominion will guide us exactly where He wants us to go.
Discover Your Talents
As Christians, we have a responsibility to develop the talent and gifts God has given us. These gifts will enable us to bless others throughout our lives. Also, it is needed to fulfill our calling. Paul told Timothy to “fan into the flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
How can you fan your flames? Ask the Holy Spirit to work through you; pray that you will be enabled to do works that will glorify God without fear and according to His plan for us. Our work as Christians must be an integral part of living in Christ Himself. His redemptive work is not limited to evangelism but encompasses everything necessary to make the world what God always intended it to be.
God may be revealing His plan for your life, but you may miss it if you don’t pay attention to the signs around you. Be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit.
Prayerfully seek God today and ask Him to help you discern His calling for your life. Ask Him to give you faith and courage to follow Him wherever He leads you. This will enable you to follow God’s greater call, advance His Kingdom on earth, and advance you in an uncommon way in life.
- Thoughts of God