Out of Alignment

Once in a while the same word will catch my attention several times over a couple of weeks. When that happens, I pay attention because I feel it’s not an accident. Recently it has been the word “alignment”.

Alignment: 1. Arrangement in a straight line, or in correct or appropriate relative positions.

2. A position of agreement or alliance

(Oxford Languages)

Alignment in life: when our thoughts, life choices and direction all honour our core values.

(https://www.elizabethdhokia.com)

People alignment: when one person changes to be true to another person. (https://matthewstrom.com)

Two separate speakers at church mentioned alignment in the last month. The first time it came up was in the context of a message on the Lord’s prayer. When we pray, we are humbling ourselves and joining (or aligning) our will to God’s. The other time was a few weeks later and the topic was “In Jesus’ name”. We were challenged to pray as Jesus would pray, namely out of love and to glorify God. I need my prayers to come alongside HIs.

I started thinking about other contexts where I have heard the word alignment. Front end alignment. Yes…. that is very important if I want to get where I’m going!. When testing the alignment of my vehicle, I set the steering wheel straight while the car is in motion and lift my hands slightly. If my car starts to veer off the straight and narrow, something is certainly out of whack. Another sign is if my steering wheel indicates one direction, but my wheels another. How often, in my faith journey, I am pulled to the side, away from the safety zone. God is saying one thing and I am doing another. How easy it is for consumerism to sidetrack generosity, for media to replace personal interaction, and for changes in routine to hijack faith practices.

I have also heard of people seeing chiropractors and other practitioners because their back is out of alignment. The lengthy list of possible symptoms includes chronic headaches, pain in various parts of the body, and excessive fatigue. Clearly, a misaligned spine can be very debilitating. Even putting on socks would hurt! When my choices do not line up with God’s will, it can cause pain and relational fatigue. Careless words…inaction…prioritizing my own comfort…all these are signs that I need to reevaluate and seek an adjustment in my attitude.

I don’t know about you, but I am really thankful that God is so patient with me! Over and over again I seek his help in aligning myself with Him. I want to be in a position of agreement with God, to make changes in myself so that I act in accordance with my core values and be true to my Maker. Like a mechanic knows my car and a healthcare professional might know my body, God knows my heart and is uniquely positioned to get me back on track. All I need is to bring a humble and repentant heart!