Photo by Averie Woodard
“God, I pray for divine alignment in every area of my life. If it has no place, remove it. If it’s out of place, shift it. If it’s in place, perfect it.” – Athena Marrufo
A few months ago, I had to get my truck into the garage for re-alignment. Over the years I’ve owned a few vehicles and I don’t recall that I ever had re-alignment done in the past. But on the pickup truck I have now, I was burning through my front tires much too quickly. Strangely, they were wearing out on one edge but not the other, and I was replacing them probably every year or so. This was a costly problem, and indeed one more source of stress I didn’t need! Finally, someone advised me that a re-alignment would resolve the issue.
I drove my truck to the shop and “surrendered control” of my baby to the technicians, trusting their expertise. Picked it up later that day. To my pleasant surprise several months later, the front tires were still wearing evenly! The ride even improved. Amazing!
A mechanically inclined friend explained to me that there are some specific components within a vehicle’s suspension and steering system that need to be adjusted during re-alignment. They are largely hidden from view, but they directly affect a vehicle’s outward ability to perform according to the manufacturer’s specifications. They are the rods, ball joints, control arms, struts and bushings. Don’t worry, you won’t be quizzed!
What I’ve also since learned about this re-alignment is that it provides major benefits, including stability, safety, longevity, efficiency and comfort. The repair allows for “straight-line” driving which of course improves overall performance.
Not long after resolving this costly and stressful problem, while driving I was reminded of my newfound comfort behind the wheel. I thought back to what I had learned about how that re-alignment provided such amazing results. And suddenly the Spirit of Christ opened my heart.
If you’re familiar with the teaching methods of Jesus in ancient times, He often turned His followers’ real world experiences into object lessons to teach vital truth. If those experiences were costly and stressful, the truth became that much more meaningful. As followers of Jesus, we know that He still uses the same teaching technique in our lives, with object lessons relevant to each of us individually today.
That day in my truck was the time of His choosing for another object lesson. Through a still small voice in my heart, He asked me some questions, which he does so well. Listen in as I recall what I received in my heart…
“My son, I’ve blessed you with that old truck, and the special people that know about mechanical things like re-alignment. But let me ask you something. How is your own alignment? Have you checked it recently? Have you noticed any subtle movement in your soul, steering you off course, out of a straight-line path? Would you say that you’re stable, or are you sensing some loss of control from day to day, especially during stormy weather in your life? Are you feeling a sense of discomfort on the bumpy roads you pass over? Are you hoping to live a long and healthy life? Do you feel like you’re being efficient, getting the most out of every mile you travel over the years?
What could I say? With a simple object lesson He had captured my attention for a teachable moment.
Friend, spiritual re-alignment is vital in this life, just as re-alignment is vital in the life of your vehicle, for really the same reasons: stability, longevity, control, comfort and safety through the storms and rough patches. If you’ve chosen to follow Jesus, you can be assured that He will perform the re-alignment, but you will need to “bring your vehicle” and surrender it to Him, trusting His expertise! Your spiritual vehicle is your own life, and the re-alignment takes place in your soul, hidden from view.
Perhaps the only difference between my truck’s re-alignment and my own spiritual re-alignment is that mine needs to be done on a daily basis. So, what takes place in a daily spiritual re-alignment? In other words, what things do I need to do in order for the Spirit of Christ to complete this daily “repair?” How will this adjustment improve my “straight-line driving,” living in safety, stability, control and comfort through the storms?
There are some hidden components of our “vehicles,” within the soul, that we will need to allow Jesus to examine and adjust daily, along with our surrender and participation. There are ample passages in Scripture guiding us regarding these hidden components affecting the outward stability, longevity, control, comfort and safety of our vehicles (aka our lives) so we can perform according to the “Manufacturer’s” specifications. Here are the hidden components:
Important note: These components have a progressive relationship, all beginning with our thoughts. The thoughts become thought patterns, become a mindset, become intentions, become motivations…
- It begins with thoughts that form thought patterns:
“Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing…”- Philippians 4:8-9 - Thought patterns in time solidify into a mindset:
“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].”- Colossians 3:2 - A mindset influences intentions:
“Men judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man’s thoughts and intentions.”- God speaking to the Prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7 (The Living Bible) - Finally, intentions drive motivations:
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:2
(Learn more about these hidden parts with scripture references at https://www.goodbye2hello.com/the-secret-place/)
Take a moment to review the questions that Jesus posed to me. They can really apply to you as well. Then consider these four hidden components of your soul that really drive and control your outer life from day to day. Reflect on whether they’re “performing” according to the Manufacturer’s specifications, your Creator’s perfect design.
I would encourage you to get your alignment checked today!
