Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105, NIV)
One of the keys to successful putting is starting the ball on the proper line. The next time you are on the practice putting green, you will likely see a plethora of alignment aids used by folks like me who often struggle with putting.
Golf ball manufacturers help us by putting alignment aids on the ball—double black lines, two blue lines with a red line in the middle, a single red or black line, or multicolor bands.
If you do not want to buy pre-aligned balls, you can do it yourself with a Sharpie and a golf ball marking tool. Then, there are mirrors, lasers, alignment sticks, nylon string stretched between two knitting needles, and chalk lines.
Whatever the method or gadget, we are always looking for a way to make sure the ball is properly aligned so we can start it on the proper line.
Fortunately for us on our faith journey, we do not need a bag full of tools or gadgets to stay aligned with God’s will. We have the Bible and all its instruction, wisdom, promises, guidance, and encouragement, which serves as a divine alignment tool—a spiritual “plumb line.”
Alignment in our faith life involves harmonizing our beliefs, actions, and values with God’s will. We must seek and understand God’s desires and purposes for us as revealed in Scripture.
This commitment is an ongoing process of aligning with God’s purposes rather than trying to align God with our purposes. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
I regularly encounter barriers that threaten to creep into my faith walk and distort my alignment with God’s will: my lack of humility and consequent pride; my renegade desire to be in control; and the culture around me, which constantly tries to lure me onto a different path.
Romans 12:2 provides direction for us when we want to eliminate these barriers: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Paul shared with Timothy the benefit of studying scripture when he said that all Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16).
The time I spend each day reading, studying, and reflecting on Scripture reveals God’s will and helps me understand His character, commands, and will.
In prayer, I seek His wisdom and guidance. It is a time that I can continue to express my dependence on Him and renew my commitment to aligning my desires with His.
Even in my quiet moments, engaging in self-reflection, journaling, and practicing Randy Wolff’s suggestions of “Two Way Prayer,” I experience an awareness of the straight path I need to follow.
(see, https://linksplayers.com/2017/11/07/listening-to-god/).
Besides studying Scripture and praying, I continually seek the Holy Spirit’s help in understanding and applying the Scripture texts to my daily life situations.
Of course, being part of several Links fellowship groups helps keep me grounded in my faith and is a constant source of encouragement in my faith walk.
When we strive to align our lives with God’s purposes, we will experience clarity, peace, and assurance of His presence, and live a life that more closely mirrors Christ’s image and character.
PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help us align our lives more fully with your will so that we might more fully reflect Jesus’ image and character to the world around us.