Alignment

 

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:18

The other night I gave my wife an overdue back massage (she is a pastor, after all). As I pressed and ran my thumbs up along either side of her spine we both heard a series of pops. "What was that?!" she exclaimed. I continued and the pops lessened and then stopped. We both then realized I had inadvertently aligned her spine. 

The human body is an endlessly amazing structure, paradoxically unbelievably strong and fragile at the same time. I am nowhere near the expertise of a chiropractor, but I know the smallest discord in our spine or any other part of our skeleton necessary for our movement can have a "ripple" effect on other parts. For example, a malfunction in one area can cause us to favor one side and change the way we walk or stand, causing strain in other areas and sometimes chronic issues. 

In our spiritual "walk" one of the greatest things to cause us to be "out of alignment" is our relationships with others. It doesn't take much: a forgotten "I'm sorry" or "thank you" can add up, causing us to be "off-balance" in our relationships with God and man. It's the reason Jesus laid such stress upon it: "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Matthew 5:23-24  God won't accept our offerings if we are living in unforgiveness! In fact the Bible even says He won't even forgive us! (Mark 11:26 - actually, the word "will" is not in the Greek text, so I believe the sense is more He can't forgive us)

Most of us have had that pricking in our conscience by the Holy Spirit when we need to apologize to someone. We ignore these prickings to our detriment, until we develop "limps" so pronounced we have no choice but to address it! Sadly, many go through their whole lives living in unforgiveness and pride, crippling themselves in the process (sometimes even physically), until it's too late. 

Let us keep short tabs with our fellow men. There is nothing too small to say "I'm sorry" or "thank you" for.* Although others may think you foolish, let God be your standard, and you will be blessed with divine "alignment". 

* The enemy will sometimes come into our minds and cause us to feel guilty and confess things we have no need to confess - this will perhaps be addressed in a future entry