I once had the opportunity to visit a Chiropractor for some chronic back pain I was having. The good doctor, adjusted my back and neck. It was really awkward when he wanted to realign my neck. I'll never forget the fear that gripped me as he placed his hands on my head and told me to relax. Relax? How do I relax when this is going to look and sound just like the action performed in all those really macho kung-fu movies where the weaponless warrior snaps his enemy's neck bare handed! "Relax? I'm just a little nervous." I said. "I understand," he replied. "...but if you want the pain to stop, then you're going to have to trust me." He continued, "Close your eyes and relax. I'm going to count to three and then I'll adjust your neck. One...Two..." CRACK, went my neck. "Three." finished the doctor. I was shocked, scared and relieved all at the same time. Shortly, thereafter realizing I was still alive, I noticed that I felt better than I had felt in years. It was as if even my senses worked better. I felt like a new person! I sincerely thanked the doctor and was ready to go take on the world. He responded to my gratitude by telling me that I needed to return next week or sooner to have the whole process done again.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Like visiting a Chiropractor, having an encounter with Jesus can make you feel like a new person. In fact the Bible says that as a part of your transformation, you become a "new creation". Although that is a wonderful topic to explore, I am not going to expand that in this blog post. Here, I'm exploring the idea, that like going to the Chiropractor, an encounter with Jesus should be followed by another visit and sooner is better than later.
Many people have a fantastic meeting with Jesus for the first time in church. Of course you can find Jesus just about anywhere you are willing to search for him. It is my opinion, that a person will find Christ as soon as they search with their heart and become humble enough to realize their need for a savior. This level of humility is often referred to as being broken.
"For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation." - Psalm 149:7 (NIV)
Being broken may sound scary, and it might even feel awkward if it has never happened before. Most people struggle with their own thought process while waiting on the hands of God to realign their life. So, if you have thoughts running circles in your head, you're not alone. Relax, you're about to feel a whole lot better. Many people still testify to the gentleness of God's hand and the release they feel during that re-aligning moment. But, what happens next? What happens when you walk out that door a changed person?
"1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. " - Romans 12:1-3 (NIV)
Just as you would expect to schedule another appointment before leaving the Chiropractor's office you should be thinking about and committing yourself to a follow-up with Christ. The Chiropractor has good reason for wanting you to come back. At first, I thought that my Chiropractor was just interested in my money. The truth was, he was actually more interested in saving me from re-occurring pain and he knew that it wouldn't be long before I needed to be re-adjusted. He explained as follows:
Your vertebrates are held in alignment by the muscles around them. When a back muscle becomes weak or pulled or tightens it will pull those vertebrates out of alignment. The Chiropractor temporarily sets the vertebrates back in their proper place, thus stretching the muscles. Like elastic, the back muscles begin to slowly return to their previous state. Thus, pulling the vertebrates out of alignment again. By continually re-aligning the vertebrates, the muscles are trained and conditioned and eventually no longer pull on the vertebrates.This is very much like what happens when you walk out the door feeling like a new person or after re-aligning your will with God's. Your lifestyle, and circumstances are like muscles that will pull on your heart and mind and eventually, without continued attention, you will be pulled out of alignment and the whole process starts over again. Don't wait until the pain starts, there is no need to put it off any longer. God will meet with you anytime you are willing to let him. I find that the more I commit some time to allowing God to re-align my life, the less scary, and less awkward it becomes. Three times a day is about what it takes to keep me aligned. With all that alignment going on, life begins to change around you.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters" - Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
Eventually, your lifestyle changes as your day is conditioned to work with your newly aligned life. The pain associated with the pull of the old lifestyle begins to disappear and is replaced with a heightened awareness of your surroundings. You should be able to live and move freely and even help others as you have always wanted too. All those things that seemed impossible before; become possible now that the restriction is gone. When your life is aligned with God's will, you have the peace you have been longing for.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
So what are you waiting for? Why not seek God out right now? Too busy? Not the right place? God is everywhere all the time and He knows everything already. Even a thought in the right direction can set the appointment. Just lift your heart heavenward and think to God, “God, will you meet me? Father, may I have a visit?” Do you need a bridge or something or someone to fill the gap between you and the Father? Do you feel like there is something between you and God? If so, know that Jesus is everything you need. He's your Good Doctor, or the Hand of God. Try approaching this way: “Jesus, will you show me the way to the Father? I really, would like to be aligned with His will. I know, I'm not worthy. I have sin in my life, will you remove it so that I may approach the Father? Will you be my Lord and Savior? Thank you. Amen.”
If this helps you or inspires you please tell someone else. I really would rather you tell someone you know, that you have decided to get aligned with God through Jesus, than for you to tell a hundred people about this blog. The point is you're right with God and that is enough. However, should you feel like leaving a comment here, you are welcome to do so.
All comments are moderated. Be blessed in Jesus' name.
