Music is one of my favorite things about humanity. It is such a universal language. Almost every tribe and people group under the sun has their own distinct song. I can't wait to communicate the love of God with people all over the world. Yes, with words and action, but also through the means of timbre and melody.
One of my favorite songs for the past couple of years has been "Rhythms of Grace" by Hillsong United from their album "Aftermath." (Video of this song at the end of the post)
A stanza from this song is as follows:
I'm caught in the rhythms of grace
They overcome all of my ways
Realigning each step everyday
To live for Your glory
A major theme of my prayers for my life is that each step I take be realigned to live in and for His glory. Despite ardent daily strivings to live a life that pleases God, I have to remember that, outside of Him, each step that I take, regardless of any good intentions, must be realigned to stay within His perfect plan and beautiful desires for my life.
Realignment can hurt. Even in the very literal sense. This past Sunday, while dancing at a wedding, I made an odd step and felt my left patella pop out of place, sliding to the left then all the way to the right, then back in place in center of my knee. Owwwwch. Some of the worst pain of my life. Got it checked out at the doctor's yesterday. Verdict: nothing torn or broken, but a stretched ligament from the tension of pulling my patella back into alignment. Remedy: using a brace to keep pressure on my knee to limit swelling, and moving around with crutches – not bearing weight on it. All this for a kneecap that is currently right where it’s supposed to be. But, because of its very brief hiatus to the left and the right, this precautionary action must be taken to promote continual alignment.
“Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” Solomon wisely instructs us in Proverbs 4. Even though my ligament has realigned, and presently is exactly where it was created to be, the ever-so-short deviation from its destiny caused (and is causing) pain. How much greater than the purpose of a knee ligament is the purpose of a life of a person. I see firsthand how a small part of the body, when out of alignment, can cause much discomfort. Even when back in place, pain still exists – as evidence of the deviation.
I long for my life to continually abide in Christ. I long to be exactly where I'm most effective – in His perfect will. Be that working at a supermarket, or preparing to spread the love and knowledge of God around the world for 11 months. I know that this longing will only be met as I am, by the grace of God, daily realigned.
Side note, when someone asks you to “Teach them how to Dougie,” be sure you truly know it before trying to thusly demonstrate and instruct them. Or, you might end up learning a lesson or two about realignment. 😉
From my heart,
Erika Venese
