Having worked in sports for nearly a decade and been a sports fan for MUCH longer, I am very familiar with the word realignment.
I would often hear it used in terms of college sports – “conference realignment”. This is the process of restructuring a college athletic conference, usually in the case of “adding” a new member. The action seeks to “enhance” not only the conference and its members, but the college or university joining the group.
As this isn’t a sports blog, I’ll spare the additional details. To that point, however, Merriam-Webster defines the word “realign” as:
- to reorganize or make new groupings of
But, there is another definition given for “realign” that makes what I’m about to say very interesting. It says,
- to align again
*
I was watching a bible study today about Acts 2 from a bible teacher I respect very much, Cheryl Salem. In it, she was talking about “RE-” words. Words like regeneration, redirection, resetting and restore – all begin with the “Re-” sound.
There is much more to the teaching on that prefix “Re-“, but as she was speaking I kept listening for my favorite word: realignment.
The Lord has been prompting me more and more that when I pray to pray for ‘realignment’. Specifically, realignment with His word, the Bible. Why?
John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (NKJV)
Psalm 12:6 says, “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. (NIV)
– In other translations, that word “flawless” reads as the word “pure”. The word “pure” used in this verse in Hebrew is “tahor” (Strong’s 2889) which also means clean. Think, without blemish, spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27)
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (NASB)
In Isaiah 55:10-11 9 (NKJV), it reads,
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
And, lest I forget, John 1:1 (NKJV) – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
The word is truth, flawless or pure, living and active, won’t return to God void, will accomplish what God pleases, will prosper according to the reason He sent it, It was in the beginning, with God and was God.
Numerous other scripture verses outline what the word or the Bible is, so let me sum it up by saying, “It’s real, y’all.”
*
In these past few years, my reading or listening to the Bible has changed. They aren’t just words on a page. There is truth and purpose and power to them. I’ve (sort of) always known that, but it’s one thing to know it superficially. It’s another thing to know it deeply, intimately and living it out as part of your very being.
Don’t worry. I am so NOT there yet. I’m working on it. But, I digress.
With that in mind, God is teaching me to pray for realignment quite a bit. So much so that I am falling in love with that word. I mean, I’m not sure how else to put it – if you ask me to pray for you or someone else, I am going to pray for realignment.
As I was watching the Bible study today, I actually typed out the “why” of my thoughts on the word.
When we repent, we are asking God to realign us with His word.
Man was created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27).That means he was aligned with God & His Word from before he was even created. God spoke about (verse 26) and then created (verse 27) man in His image (which is holy and pure and true and…).When man sinned, he fell out of alignment with God & with His Word. When we sin today, we too are out of alignment with how God created us to be. We repent by acknowledging our sin, seeking his forgiveness and asking for His help to turn away from sin or anything that keeps us separated from Him. We must ask Him to realign us with His word which is holy and pure and true and…
*
In simpler terms, albeit without the holiness part, think of it like a tire alignment. When you take your vehicle in to get your tires realigned, that means there is something not functioning right with your car. The mechanic realigns your suspension to their proper place so your car works the way it was originally designed.
We were designed in God’s image. If we aren’t ‘working properly’ be it on a spiritual, physical, emotional, mental or relational level, guess what? We need a realignment. Not just any realignment though.
Our culture can’t realign us, though it tries very hard to do so. Traditions can’t realign us. Religion (gasp) will never truly realign you into what who you were created to be.
No. Only the word of God – the Bible – can realign us to our original design and purpose, which is in His image.
These words are not meant to condemn or make anyone feel guilty. Far from it. What God is impressing upon me with the word realignment is an encouragement to know His word. To know and study His word, the Bible, is to know God.
Now, that’s not to say that I’ll know everything there is to know about God. Nope. I could spend a lifetime studying the scriptures, praying, conversing with Him, worshiping Him or just being with Him and still not fully know Him on this earth.
As I get to know His word and Him, however, I have a better grasp of His will and His desires for us.
Realign me, Lord, according to Your word.
Realign me.
***
Sunny Cadwallader 
You must be logged in to post a comment.