Get Your Power Turned On!

“ . . . that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man . . .” Ephesians 3:16

“Christa Madrid, get your power turned on.  Table three, please,” the automated voice rang over the chiropractor’s office sound system.  I walked up to table three, scanned my badge, and watched as my medical file came up on the computer screen.  Then I made myself comfortable on the table – face down – and waited for my adjustment.

When I first started going to the chiropractor, my neck and back had been out of line for a while.  A combination of doing gymnastics as a child, practicing cartwheels for missions street drama in Italy, and spending hours bent over a desk at work had turned my spine curvy and my neck straight.  After a year of discomfort, I had decided that something needed to be done about it.  It was pinching nerves and keeping me from exercising.  The process of realignment was going to be a week by week process.

If we looked back to the times when we’ve felt discouraged and weak, I’m sure we would say that our time with God and our pursuit of His Word had waned.  The spiritual “alignment” we used to enjoy had suddenly disappeared and we had experienced “spiritual subluxation.”  The nerves had been pinched (we couldn’t hear God’s voice) and we had been in pain (the worries of life had disturbed to us).   We had allowed everyday problems to distract us from our priorities.

My chiropractor couldn’t make the decision for me to sign up for regular adjustments.  He couldn’t make me step through the door and lay on the table to await his expert hands.  I had to take action by calling in to make appointments . . . and to keep those appointments.  It took a personal choice and determined action to see any change happen to my spine.

Similarly, God will not infuse us with His strength just because we want it.  It’s our responsibility to pursue it with all our hearts, making ourselves available for Him to make His “adjustments.”  We pursue that strength with the basics of discipleship:

1. Read the Bible every day.

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. (Proverbs 4:20-22)

2. Communicate with God in Prayer.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit . . . (Jude 20)

3. Attend church.

. . . not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

4. Praise and Worship God.

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God … (Romans 4:20)

Our challenge is to keep ourselves aligned and our power turned on by staying connected to our Chiropractor.  It’s a day-in, day-out process – a habit of walking with God and putting Him first.  We’ll be amazed at how much stronger we feel, how well we handle issues, and how many of the devil’s lies we’re able to cast down.  A strong Christian, “strengthened with might in his inner man,” is a believer to be reckoned with!