What does God say about our lives? It does not matter what the world says or what other people say, what matters is how God assesses a situation.
 
The prophet Amos spoke the following:
 
And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel: I will not pass by them anymore. (Amos 7:8)
 
True, the Lord is holy and righteous, but He also knows the frailties of man. How does the Lord apply his measuring plumb line to our lives? What are the methods that the Lord uses to help bring His church into proper alignment? The following represents some lessons I learned from a master tailor some years ago.
 
The tailor took initial measurements with instructions for me to come back in a few days for a pre-fitting. The master tailor, who by the way was not the man who took the initial measurements, spent considerable time looking at the pre-fitted jacket on me. Finally, he stated that the initial measurements were not properly taken. He then brought me before a mirror and showed me why he was not satisfied. With his hands he demonstrated where the changes needed to be made. He then asked my permission before going ahead and making the needed alterations.
 
The method of the master tailor helped in providing me some insights as to how God may apply His plumb line in our lives. Consider the following points of what took place in the shop:

1)  The master tailor examined me thoroughly.
My initial reaction to the fitting was that it was proper. I put the jacket on and did not notice any major problem. The master tailor spent time with me desiring every detail of the fitting to be exact. His name and reputation are reflected upon every garment that goes out of his store. 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
 
The master tailor would not let me go until he was satisfied. May we learn to appreciate this attribute of the Lord.

2)  The master tailor brought me before the mirror.
I had no knowledge of the alterations that were needed until he showed me in the mirror. The more we study God’s Word, the more we come to understand who God truly is. In catching glimpses of His holiness, we see how our humanity falls short in measuring up to His high standard. 

The more Isaiah had a revelation of God’s glory the more he understood himself. He saw that he did not measure up to God’s standard of holiness (Isaiah. 6:1-8). The teachers of righteousness that will be raised up in our day must come to this experience.
 
The study of God’s Word can be likened to a mirror that allows us to see a reflection of our true condition. Jesus, as the Living Word, not only takes particular care in examining our lives; He also gives us an opportunity to see for ourselves the needed areas of alteration.

3)  The master tailor asked my permission to make the needed alterations.
With great care, the master tailor adjusted the fabric to his standard of satisfaction and then asked if he could make the needed adjustments. He made sure he had my approval before reworking the measurements. This so impressed me and helped to give a greater understanding as to how the Lord seeks to bring change into our lives. 

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if anyone hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)
 
There is a choosing required on our part in allowing the Lord to bring forth the desired and needed alterations. God does not force His will or His way upon anyone.
 
The particular methods of the master tailor provide key insights as to how the Lord measures His church. It is also instructive as to how the Lord brings the needed alignment into our lives. May we be willing to present ourselves continually before our Master and allow Him to shape and measure us to His Divine Plumb Line. Remember, what God says is all that matters.