As a result of a wonderful birthday gift, I received a lovely massage the other day. In the course of that, my head, neck, and shoulders were brought back into alignment and the tingling in my arms from carpal tunnel syndrome was alleviated – thanks be to God!
This realignment reminded me of some reading I did with my kids several years ago in astronomy. The title of the chapter was “Perfect Design by a Perfect Designer” and it talked about how Earth is perfectly situated for life to exist. Earth is the perfect distance from the sun, it has the perfect mass for the perfect gravity, it has a perfect rotation so our temperature is in balance, it has a perfect atmosphere to keep us alive, its “tilt” is such that we have seasons that help our food grow, and it has a perfect magnetosphere to help protect Earth from all the harmful particles in the solar system. If any one of these perfect things were not in alignment, the chance of life flourishing on Earth would be at least diminished – if not eliminated. The perfect alignment of all these factors makes a difference!*
God’s perfect alignment can be seen in the Bible, too.
God rescued a persecuted infant from a Pharaoh-ordered purge of babies, had that infant grow up in the Pharaoh’s own household, and eventually sent Moses to deliver his kinsmen from enslavement under the Pharaoh.
God put a poor but beautiful Jewish orphan in the home of her godly cousin who taught her God’s ways. Then when the girl Esther was chosen to be Queen, she was positioned “for such a time as this” to rescue the Jewish people from ethnic massacre.
“In the fullness of time” God sent Holy Spirit to announce to a teenage girl that she would give birth to the Messiah of the world. After the Messiah’s death and resurrection, that same Holy Spirit empowered the first generation of Jesus-followers and they changed the world. One by one, Holy Spirit continues to confront, woo, guide, challenge, and call into relationship those whom God has chosen – you and me and so many more.
Our alignment in Christ makes a difference in this world.
Perfect God,
Thank you for the perfect ways in which you have aligned our universe, solar system, and planet so that the life you have created can flourish. Thank you for the perfect ways in which you have aligned people, places, and events in history so that your perfect will is done. Thank you for the perfect ways which Holy Spirit uses to align us, your children, with your purposes and plans. Keep our spirits open to the leading of Holy Spirit so we are always aligned with you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7 ESV)
“The Lord works everything together to accomplish his purpose.” (Proverbs 16:4 TPT)
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)
“Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
and as I have purposed, so it will happen.” (Isaiah 14:24 NIV)
“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” (Psalm 33:11 NIV)
*”Exploring Creation with Astronomy” by Jeanne Fulbright, (c)2004, Apologia Publishing