Misalignment
For those of you who do not know me, my husband is Ed. He is also my pastor. This morning, I was telling him about what I was studying and an analogy that the Holy Spirit brought to my attention. His response was that what I was saying sounded like a blog and that I should think about writing one. My response was that I’d think about it. That was the wrong answer – I know because I was immediately convicted by the Spirit. In that moment I said, “Darn it, Spirit!” Wrong response? Oh yeah!
So here I am writing a blog, which is way out of my comfort zone; but this is a faith issue, if you get right down to it. Both my pastor and the Holy spirit convicted me of this very fact, each in their unique, God-sent way. For example, the Holy Spirit had me read Matthew 14 and Hebrews 12 just this morning, before my conversation with Ed.
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
– Matthew 14:22-33
Initially, the disciples were afraid, so Jesus spoke words of assurance to them, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (v27). For a time, Peter’s trust in the Lord was on full display, as he, too, walked on water! I can learn from him. I can also relate to Peter since his faith failed shortly after. Even so, the lesson is that when my pastor says the same thing as the Holy Spirit, I need to trust that it is from God and obey. This is what I gleaned from my first reading this morning. On to my second reading…
Hebrew 12 speaks to how I need to “[look] to Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith” (v2) and how, as a believer, when I am out of line (not adhering to God’s will but my own), my heavenly Father must do whatever is necessary to wake me up and realign me to His will. In other words, I need to be disciplined.
It is like when your car is misaligned. It rides rough and, if you ignore the problem for too long, other areas of the car are affected and begin to fail. In the end you end up with bigger, more costly problems. It is the same way in the life of a believer. When you have spent too much time outside of God’s will for you (when the “ride gets rough”), God will administer discipline to get your attention back on Him and His will. This will be a painful process if you try to fight Him. Once you finally do surrender (when you willingly take yourself to the “shop” for realignment), He applies the salve of peace to your soul.
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
– Hebrews 12:5-13
Hebrews 12:11b tells us that our Father’s discipline results in “the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” This is a beautiful thing. Realignment means that we can continue smoothly on the road He has set before us. While God never promises to take away all the damages we inflict on ourselves while misaligned, He will give us the right perspective to endure – we may even have a skip in our step, knowing that through obedience we can be used for His Glory. He may even ask you to step way out of your comfort zone and write a blog like this one, just to prove His point!
Thank you, Father, for your discipline – it is perfect, as You are perfect.
Love in Christ,
Tammy Collins