In researching the theme for this edition “alignments” and accelerations” I found that, both words are synonymous with words like “positioning” and “quickening” respectively. And in meditating on it, I have come to believe that alignment speaks to my being in correct relative position to my Lord and His will for my life and acceleration speaks to my propensity to gain speed and progress in my walk with God.
I will be the first to admit that many times, irrespective of how I wish, try or hope, my will and actions do not always align with God’s will for my life. This is even though I know and believe that His will for me is always good to give me a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11). It’s silly I know, but still true – I make severe errors in judgment and make wrong choices outside of God’s will. Paul said it well in Romans 7:15 ‘I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to—what I hate’.
Living as a committed Christian single lady in these times is not easy, add that to the pressures of being seen ‘making something’ of your life and the crazy ticker society puts in your head to tell you that time is running out on you…for marriage, for kids etc… It is not easy staying aligned and maintaining your tempo. In a bid to keep these pressures off and all my balls in the air so to speak I’ve gone to places I know expressly that the Holy Spirit has said to avoid, I’ve gotten into relationships that were clearly outside of God’s plan for my life; I have even said things that did not glorify the lover of my soul, and have done things that if you saw me you would pull me to the side and ask like my dear brother Kingsley does regularly “Liz, e ka no na okukwe?” meaning: Liz, are you still in the faith? The result of all these is that I end up getting out of alignment with the singular most important relationship in my life, my relationship with God.
My personal experience is that in situations (note the plural) like these when I get out of alignment with God’s will; I tend to find it easier to discount myself from God’s continued blessing, fullness and forgiveness. It’s almost as though I want to take what I feel is adequate action to atone for my mistake/sin/misjudgment (or whatever you want to call it – although truth be told, misalignment with God’s will is sin). It’s funny really, especially when we all know that all our righteousness is like filthy rags before God, and there is no atonement acceptable outside of the sacrifice of Jesus – already paid in full.
In ignorance you’ll find me trying to pray more, immerse myself in more Bible study, fast, withdraw from friends and family etc, all of this in my naïve effort to make it up to God for failing Him. When I should simply obey 1 John1:9, own up to my sin, accept God’s gracious atonement and move on. Oh no! I’ll hem & haw, feel sorry for myself, get angry…you know how it is! This vicious cycle compromises the fullness of joy inherent to my Christian walk and makes me lose steam, take a step back from God rather than press on to Him. I think Paul had a similar experience, and that’s why he said ‘Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature?’
The last few months I’ve listened almost only to Pastor Joseph Prince trying to understand this grace message –this concept that would almost guaranty acceleration in the things of God – if firmly grasped and understood. Although sometimes I can’t say I understand grace 100%, I am beginning to learn and believe that when I do get out of alignment with God, it is His grace only that can keep me in Him – no one ever got back in alignment when they stepped back or away from God. I once heard Pastor Tim Storey say ‘when you have a setback don’t take a step back, get ready for your come back!’
What I am trying to say is that things will happen in your life that will put you off kilter [balance]and it’s easy to allow this one incident cause you to lose your orientation and almost give up your place as you run towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. DON’T! Am I making an excuse for myself when I get out of alignment with God through sin? Heavens no! Borrowing a saying from Joseph Prince, I am not making light of sin, rather I am making big of Jesus and what He has done for us, and His power to cause us to run through troops and hit the mark.
I am of the opinion that it’s the knowledge of Christ’s finished work that keeps me both aligned and accelerating towards the upward call that I live out through faith. I echo Paul who said in Romans 7 ‘Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free’.