Lesson 1: Alignment with The King
Have you ever had that feeling where things just seem… off? Maybe not drastically wrong, but slightly out of sync? It could be physical – like when one small ache in your foot eventually leads to back pain because your whole body is compensating. Or perhaps it’s mechanical – think about driving a car with misaligned wheels. You’re steering straight, but the car constantly pulls to one side, wearing down the tires unevenly. Even a small misalignment can create a ripple effect of problems.
The same is true for our souls. When we drift, even slightly, from our spiritual center – from our connection with God – the impact multiplies. Small compromises or distractions can lead to a significant sense of spiritual disconnection. We might find our prayers feel flat, our sense of purpose dims, or we just feel generally unsettled.
Alignment and Prayer: Asking, Seeking, Knocking
Jesus invites us into a dynamic relationship of prayer, encouraging us to "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you." But perhaps the effectiveness of our asking, seeking, and knocking is deeply connected to our alignment. Prayer isn't just about presenting a list of requests; it's fundamentally about aligning our hearts with God's heart, His will, His ways, and His presence. When we're aligned, we start to see things from His perspective, pray more effectively, notice His movement in our lives, and experience genuine spiritual growth. When we're out of alignment, everything else feels harder.
The Season for Recalibration: Enter Lent
The season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, offers a beautiful, intentional opportunity for spiritual realignment. It's a traditional time to pause, reflect, and recalibrate our hearts. It’s a chance to honestly assess where we might have drifted and consciously choose to return to Christ as our center.
What Pulls Us Off Course?
So, what are some common things that pull us out of alignment?
Busyness: How often, when asked how we're doing, does the word "busy" immediately come to mind? Our culture often prioritizes productivity, success, and endless obligations over spiritual depth. We can become so consumed by doing that we neglect being – being present with God and ourselves.
Distraction: We live in a world saturated with potential distractions. Our gadgets buzz, entertainment beckons, the news cycle churns, social media scrolls endlessly. It’s easy to get consumed by noise and lose focus on what truly matters.
Comfort-Seeking: Sometimes, we actively avoid challenges or situations that might stretch our faith simply because we crave comfort. Stepping out in faith often involves discomfort, and our desire to stay comfortable can keep us spiritually stagnant and misaligned.
Sin and Compromise: Let's be honest – sometimes we consciously or unconsciously align ourselves more with cultural values or personal desires than with the values of God's kingdom. These compromises, small or large, inevitably pull us away from our true center.
Finding True North: What Alignment Looks Like
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, described his own radical realignment. He had spent his early life aligning himself with status, achievement, and strict religious rule-following. But after encountering Christ, his priorities completely flipped. He wrote, "...whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord... I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him..."
Paul's journey highlights what true spiritual alignment involves:
Seeking Jesus Above All Else: Making Him our highest pursuit, our ultimate priority. As Jesus said, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Letting Go of False Securities: Releasing our grip on things we rely on instead of God. This might be the need for control (that inner perfectionist?), the desire for approval from others (when God's approval is what truly matters), or reliance on our own strength and resources.
Re-centering on Spiritual Disciplines: Intentionally making space for practices that connect us to God. Think prayer, fasting (giving something up to focus more on God), meditation on Scripture, or even embracing silence in our noisy world. Just 5-10 minutes of quiet can be a powerful gift.
Lent: More Than Just Giving Up
Many people associate Lent simply with giving something up – chocolate, social media, etc. While giving things up (fasting) is a valuable part of Lent, it's not just about denial for denial's sake. It's about removing distractions to create space. It's about intentionally repositioning our hearts to pursue what truly matters – a deeper relationship with Jesus. Why wouldn't we prepare our hearts for Easter, the most significant event in the Christian faith? Why wouldn't we dedicate a season of focused intention so we can more fully celebrate the resurrection?
Paul yearned "to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." He understood that embracing the "death" part – dying to self, letting go of lesser things – was the path to experiencing the fullness of resurrection life. Realignment often involves letting go of things that don't truly bring life to re-center on the One who does.
Ash Wednesday: A Symbol of Our Need
For those who observe Ash Wednesday, the ashes traditionally placed on the forehead are a powerful symbol of this realignment process. They remind us of:
Our Mortality: "From dust you came, and to dust you shall return." Life is fleeting, and our ultimate hope isn't in this temporary world, but in God alone.
Our Need for Repentance: Lent is a call to turn away from the things that pull us out of alignment (our sin, our distractions) and turn back towards Christ.
Our Dependence on God: Realignment isn't something we achieve through sheer willpower. It comes through acknowledging our need for God's grace.
Your Lenten Invitation
So, as we journey through these 40 days (or any time you feel the need to recalibrate), consider these challenges:
What might you be willing to lay down to align more fully with Christ? What distraction, habit, or attachment is hindering your connection with Him?
What might you be willing to take up to pursue deeper intimacy with Him? More time in prayer? Reading Scripture? Practicing silence? Serving others?
Realignment isn't about achieving perfection; it's about direction. It's about intentionally turning your heart back towards Jesus, your true center. May you find this season, or this moment, a time of deep recalibration and renewed connection with the One who gives true life.
Questions for Discussion
Can you relate to the feeling of being spiritually "out of alignment"? What does that feel like for you?
How does the idea of alignment change your perspective on prayer ("Ask, Seek, Knock")?
Which common causes of misalignment (busyness, distraction, comfort-seeking, compromise) resonate most with you right now?
What does "seeking Jesus above all else" look like practically in your daily life?
What are some "false securities" you might be tempted to cling to instead of trusting God?
Which spiritual discipline (prayer, fasting, scripture, silence, service, etc.) feels most challenging for you, and why? Which feels most life-giving?
Have you ever practiced fasting or given something up for a spiritual purpose? What was that experience like?
How does reflecting on your mortality ("from dust you came...") impact how you want to live your life today?
Beyond just giving things up, what positive practices could you "take up" to draw closer to God?
What is one small step you can take this week to move towards greater spiritual alignment?