Maybe you’ve seen those posts where there is a block of random letters and you need to find the first four words that your subconscious mind takes you towards? They are fun and insightful on most days. I don’t usually read into them too much. This morning I did one, and I saw these four words first:
- selfcare
- alignment
- breakthrough
- connection
The word alignment drew my attention the most, and the researcher in me began to google about car alignments. Here’s what I found out:
The most common reasons why your car might need an alignment:
- wore down tires
- bent/crooked steering
- noisy
- steering off course
The purpose of a car alignment is to get the suspension back into proper form. The proper adjustments are made to the tires and axles which allows the wheels to make sold contact with the road. It arranges the car back into its proper place so that it can continue on a straight line.
You may see where I’m going with this. . .
Many of us are walking around misaligned. We do and say things that don’t agree with our core values. We live in fear, we strive after things that don’t truly matter to us, and we are steering off course. To fix this, we need to get an alignment. We need to be brought into cooperation and agreement with our core values. Our seemingly small, every day choices will misalign us. They shorten our life and bring wear and tear to our soul.
To truly align ourselves, we need to let go of our control!
We must be honest with ourselves and be intentional. Things have to change. Toxic things must fall be the wayside. We must build up the things in our life that make us whole and healthy. Making an adjustment is not all about us (or our car). It improves the function and life of the car/person in order to serve its purpose: serving others and glorifying God.
I must let go of my white-knuckled grip on things. I don’t have control over other people or outcomes. I do have control over my emotions, thoughts, and actions.
As a Christian (Christ-follower), I must be living a holy and set-apart life. If I’m not, I will be misaligned. Do you need an alignment today? Here are 12 WAYS TO REALIGN YOURSELVES WITH YOUR MAKER:
Ask God to search you
Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Trust Him with all your heart
Proverbs 3:5-6 – 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 straight your path!
Let Him quiet you with His love
Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud signing.
Seek God First and His Righteousness
Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Have a firm foundation
Matthew 7:24,25 – Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And when the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
Don’t conform, be transformed
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that be testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
We were created for good works
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Think on truth = perfect peace
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Destroy destructive thoughts
2 Corinthians 10:5 – We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Live with His power, love
& self-control
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Do and live God’s Word
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Confess your sins – Be cleansed
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
