Art definition: “…it’s the foundation upon which your design stands and appears attractive to the viewers…Alignment refers to the arrangement of different design elements on various positions. Alignment declutters the design and frees it from becoming a disorderly chaos. Believe me; no one likes a design with scattered text and misaligned graphics. It’s the worst design sin anyone can commit!” (https://www.designmantic.com/blog/art-of-alignment-graphic-design
When we aren’t aligned with God our lives can become chaotic and disorganized. Not that that is a sin. I like how this definition states, “Alignment declutters the design and frees it from becoming a disorderly chaos.” I am sure it’s a pleasing sight to God when we are in alignment with Him.
There are four ways to align objects, elements and text in a piece of art.
Center
Justified
Right flush
Left Flush
But when we talk about spiritual alignment – there is only one way – center alignment. To put God at the center of everything. So how do we align ourselves with God? What does it look like and what happens when God is the center of our lives?
Let’s look at what the Bible tells us about alignment. Matthew 6:33 tells us “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…” In Exodus 20:3 we read “Have no other gods before me.” What does this look like in practice? It could be:
– Reading and spending time in God’s word
– Prayer
– Serving, our families, community, church
– Tithes and offerings
- Using our gifts and talents for God’s Kingdom Obedience
- Encouraging others
There was a point and there are times where I felt like and feel like my prayers are hitting the ceiling. I begin to wonder if God is hearing me? Why isn’t He answering me. When that happens, I stop and evaluate. What am I doing or not doing? If I am spending time with God and my prayers still aren’t being answered, what gives? It’s not only to whom I am praying but what am I praying for. Are my prayers self centered? Often, I find that what is missing is that I need to pray His will. “Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done …” I realized I need to pray His will for my prayers to be answered. I needed to align myself with His plan (whatever that is) for me, for others, for the future.
Mike Donehey wrote a book, Finding God’s Life for My Will. I highly recommend reading this book if you are struggling with God’s plan for your life. I like what he had to say about being successful. “God doesn’t want our success, He wants our surrender.” Whoa. We can align ourselves by making God the center of our lives, by surrendering ourselves, our plans, our desires to Him. We don’t have to work at being perfect, we don’t have to perform, we don’t even have to try. We don’t have to be successful.
And to answer the second part of the first question, what happens when we are aligned? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God And His righteousness And all these things shall be added unto you Allelu, alleluia” maybe you’re familiar with the song?
All these things being, rest, order, joy, peace, fruits of the spirit. Our lives can become free of disorderly chaos. God will also provide our needs. Matthew 6:31-34 tells us that our Father knows all that we need before we do. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow. He will provide as He provides for the birds and we are worth more to Him. His will for us is to be aligned with Him. He is the plan. If we are aligned with Him and we trust Him, we will begin to pray His will and He will lead us to take those steps of faith as Joshua and the Israelites did at the Jordon.
Reflection
What step of faith might God be calling me to take right now, even if I don’t have all the answers.
What is currently at the center of my life?
In what areas of my life do I feel cluttered or in chaos?
How might misalignment be contributing to that chaos?
Let’s reflect together. What stood out to you today? Share in the comments.
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