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| Image courtesy of Lars Sundstrom |
Dr. Tony Evans encourages men that fearing God means taking Him seriously. We take Him seriously when we align our actions, words, and thoughts with His Word, His Spirit, His plans, and His standards.
Wheel Alignment
The car pulls off of center. It takes more energy to keep the car going straight. During rain or snow, the tires don’t have as much traction as they would if aligned making it more dangerous to drive. The tires wear unevenly and faster; they will have to be replaced sooner costing more in the long run.
Unaligned = more energy + more danger + more cost
Soldier Alignment
We all marvel at the Marine Corps precision rifle platoon. The sharp lines of their uniforms and their perfect formation cause us to drop our jaws as they present, twirl, throw, and even hold their rifles. If the group fell out of alignment, our eye would not be drawn to the whole, but to those who were out of formation. If in the middle of a peal, if a marine delayed even a fraction of a second, we would notice and call it an error. Those who are out of formation or don’t act in perfect timing with the others don’t meet the standard and put the others in danger of being hit by the butt of a rifle. Those that erred would be replaced. They might even bring shame to the entire platoon.
Unaligned = error + danger + risk of replacement + shame
Blue Angels Alignment
Imagine the squadron flying in formation at 300mph. Their wingtips are only 18-inches apart. If one broke alignment, four or more planes would be in jeopardy. If all four crashed, the cost to tax payers would be $228 million. More than likely, the US Air Force would lose four of their most valued pilots. Many on the ground would be injured or killed. Property would be destroyed. The news media would cover the event casting doubt on the Air Force as a whole.
Unaligned = death + destruction + financial loss + doubt
Proper alignment is everywhere
- The chairs in a ballroom or auditorium
- The cars in an auto lot
- Synchronized swimming
- The lines on a basketball court, football field, baseball diamond, or soccer pitch
- The bricks on a home (not to mention the foundation and cornerstone)
- The shingles on a roof
- The lines of great graphic design or art
Don’t read these examples and think I am being extreme or encouraging legalism. That would be a surface understanding of the concepts. Every soldier makes a thousand micro errors in his routine. The pilots talk to each other and are constantly tweaking their flight paths because of wind, atmospheric changes, and more. Sometimes it is the imperfections that make the things we admire the most human or memorable.
However, there is a line we must not cross. I have met many who translate freedom in Christ as license. They define their lives based on the things they can do even while being Christ-followers. If you look at each individual incident, you can easily say, “Of course. I get it.” But as I’ve watched these men—and as I’ve felt myself being drawn down this path—we are all missing something important.
God has a standard. God has a plumb line.
There is forgiveness when we deviate. There are sometimes consequences when we do. But staying on the course with Him is far better.
Alignment = peace + safety + growth + pride + confidence + God’s pleasure
When we drive down the road, we make thousands of adjustments to stay between the lines and get to our destination. In our lives, we need to be as vigilant as we are when behind the wheel. In the same way distracted driving (texting, eating, disciplining a child, picking something off the floorboard, etc.) can be dangerous, so can distracted living.
I don’t know how to do this. I am learning. My life is out of shape and needs much alignment.
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