Are You In Line?

September 2009

Alignment. We are hearing the word a lot lately, especially around the Christian community. It means different things to different people, so for our purposes, let’s use this definition, which I found on the internet. 

Alignment: an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line: the proper adjustment of the components of an electronic circuit, machine, etc., for coordinated functioning; a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint.

I believe that real living comes out of alignment. Our lives can be aligned in two ways: externally and internally. When I speak of “external alignment,” I am referring to things like family, church, relationships, employment, school, or even certain hobbies or recreational pursuits. People can easily see how we align ourselves, or what we align ourselves with, externally. But, while external alignment is important, the most important alignment is what takes place internally, the alignment that is established in the heart.

When we are in proper alignment internally, our decisions, behaviors, and even our very lives will be empowered by love, peace, wisdom, purity, and a kingdom perspective. Some of the signs of being properly aligned in our hearts include:

• Physical signs: being “ready for the fight;” feeling energized for the challenges life bring, sleeping peacefully, eating healthily, and exercising appropriately
• Emotional signs: feeling “together;” living within our stress levels; staying calm; maintaining an orderly life; being considerate of others; being a peacemakers; being joyful
• Mental signs: having the discipline to keep our minds from wandering, excessive reasoning or becoming “the devil’s playground;” interacting with God in our thoughts; being “in the moment”
• Spiritual signs: being at ease in worship; having the capacity to rejoice; being God-conscious; hearing God

In contrast, there are also signs of being out of alignment, which include:

• Physical signs: tension; sleeplessness; headaches; decreased appetite; flu-like symptoms; colon problems; joint pain
• Emotional signs: being upset, anxious or fearful; speaking without thinking; feeling excessively sad
• Mental signs: resisting new ideas; questioning everything; replaying events in negative ways; believing the worst instead of the best in a situation
• Spiritual signs: feeling distant from God; feeling like we have a “spiritual block” or that we under attack (note: being out of alignment is not the same as being under attack)

If you’re like I am, you’d much prefer being in alignment to being out of alignment! I believe the Lord wants us to be in alignment so we can enjoy our lives and fulfill His purposes. I encourage you today to ask the Holy Spirit to show you any specific areas in which you may be out of internal alignment and to help make the adjustments that are needed—because remember, real living comes out of alignment.