Isn't it annoying when a car needs an alignment? We can't get the wobbly car to the shop fast enough because we don't want to jeopardize our safety or the safety of others. Being aligned with God is like that. The more we're aligned with Him, the deeper our relationship experience.
Alignment sounds like obedience, doesn't it? Interestingly, in Hebrew, there isn't a specific word for obedience. The closest word that comes to it is shema, which is associated with hearing, heeding, and responding to what is heard. It isn't a form of blind obedience, either. (You can learn more about the word shema here, here and here.)
With that concept of hearing and doing in mind, the context of the Christmas story expands beautifully. Mary heard the word from Gabriel, and not only believed it, she got up and visited her cousin Elizabeth, who experienced a miracle birth in her old age. Joseph received a dream from God, believed it, and defied convention by boldly standing by his fiancee Mary, who had become pregnant before their marriage.
In all three cases, they heeded God, and they responded with faithful action. They obeyed. To say it another way, they aligned themselves fully with the intentions of God.
When God speaks to us, He doesn't just want us to mull over the words He has for us. He wants us to do.
Help Dallas Leadership Foundation help Dallas families during the Christmas season. Sign up to volunteer or browse our new online Treasures of Hope Christmas Store at dlftx.org/events and purchase a gift for someone special. Share this post on your social networks with the hashtag #WebelieveGodcan or #Miracles.
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| Source: Wikipedia - Nativity of Jesus, by Botticelli |
Alignment sounds like obedience, doesn't it? Interestingly, in Hebrew, there isn't a specific word for obedience. The closest word that comes to it is shema, which is associated with hearing, heeding, and responding to what is heard. It isn't a form of blind obedience, either. (You can learn more about the word shema here, here and here.)
With that concept of hearing and doing in mind, the context of the Christmas story expands beautifully. Mary heard the word from Gabriel, and not only believed it, she got up and visited her cousin Elizabeth, who experienced a miracle birth in her old age. Joseph received a dream from God, believed it, and defied convention by boldly standing by his fiancee Mary, who had become pregnant before their marriage.
In all three cases, they heeded God, and they responded with faithful action. They obeyed. To say it another way, they aligned themselves fully with the intentions of God.
When God speaks to us, He doesn't just want us to mull over the words He has for us. He wants us to do.
Help Dallas Leadership Foundation help Dallas families during the Christmas season. Sign up to volunteer or browse our new online Treasures of Hope Christmas Store at dlftx.org/events and purchase a gift for someone special. Share this post on your social networks with the hashtag #WebelieveGodcan or #Miracles.
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