Aligned with God
A week ago, I went to an automated car wash. As you enter the machine you are asked to align your wheels correctly in order to get the best from the machine and for the conveyorbelt to take you through the whole process.
In the natural, when your spine is aligned properly, your body maintains a relatively straightline from your head down to your shoulders and back, as well as your hips, knees, and feet.
Having a correct alignment goes beyond maintaining a good posture — it can also help prevent long-term pain. Misalignment may impair your range of motion, and severe issues can affect your quality of life.The same is also true in the spiritual arena; a misalignment will limit you. You won’t benefit from the fulness of life God has promised you in His word.
According to dictionary.com an ‘alignment’ is:
an adjustment to a line; an arrangement in a straight line.
the proper adjustment of the components of an electronic circuit for coordinated
functioning:a state of agreement or cooperation among persons with a common cause or viewpoint.
By this definition we understand that alignment with God could mean adjusting yourself in a position of agreement with God in order to function effectively according to His will and purpose. Just as spine misalignment happens over time, so does the bad habits we have - correcting both require a long-term effort. Many of us are ignorant that our lives are misaligned.
The Lord wants us to be more aware of themisalignment between His word and our words,
and between His thoughts and actions and ours.
Let’s pause for a moment and let’s welcome the Holy spirit. Join me in this prayer:
Holy spirit I welcome you in my heart and mind. I ask you to bring to light every misalignment in my life and thought process. Bring to my mind those lies, behaviours, thoughts and words that are not aligned with the mind of Christ. I give you permission to
adjust everything that needs to be adjusted for my whole being to be in the correct position so it can function effectively according to God’s will and purpose.
So… how can we realign ourselves?
1 – Take responsibility – I am sure that many of your thoughts like mine are not always as mentioned in Philippians 4:8: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent or praiseworthy. Sohere is what we must do before they become a mindset on which we build behaviours on - cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5).
2 – Feed your mind with the word of God “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approvewhat God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)
3 – Pray more in tongues to be constantly filled with the truth “But the Helper, the HolySpirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV)
4 - Break a habit by creating a new habit - We must first have the willingness to make achange. Then we must change our mindset and our attitude. This will then help us make thedecision to do things differently. Of course, we must instigate change by doing things in a new manner. “Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.”
(Proverbs 16:3 NKJV)
Let these few tips help you realign not only your mind but also your eyes – looking at the One who calls us beloved. Let this verse be your cry to Him today:
Here’s the one thing I crave from you God, the one thing I seek above all else. I want the privilege of living with you every moment in your house, finding the sweet loveliness of your face,filled with awe, delighting in your glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to you Lord, that you take pleasure in my every prayer, our every conversation. (Psalm 27:4)
In Jesus mighty name. Amen!
By Nadia Tan Panza