“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” -Hebrews 2:1

Who could forget that pinnacle moment in the movie “Castaway” starring Tom Hanks for which he played a stranded survivor on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Chuck,  (Tom’s character) had unknowingly fallen asleep on a raft in the ocean only to awaken to see his only companion of four years, a volleyball which he had named Wilson, drifting farther away from his presence. Although one-sided, theirs had grown to be a very unique relationship as Wilson had become Chuck’s only source of communication and sanity during that four year period on that deserted island.

Drifting off course in our Christian faith and walk with Christ is one of those great evil influences which affects the believer and is always lurking close by. If we’re not careful and paying close attention to what we have heard and practice as the writer of Hebrews mentions in the opening verse, it can be extremely easy to find ourselves caught up in the downstream of this world’s damaging current. I can recall even in my own life the times when out of neglect of keeping that intimate time spent with God either through my quiet times spent in prayer, reading His Word as well as missing church. How very easy it was to begin to justify and convince myself that “hey, everything’s cool”, or “We can miss this Sunday’s service”, etc…the list goes on and on. And before you know it, you’ve already begun to enter the “danger zone” of choosing the path of least resistance. The life of drifting is an extremely easy course to follow. It takes no output of energy to float down a stream, or be carried forward on the crest of a running tide. All that’s necessary for a life of drifting is to relax, to do nothing, to let go, to cease struggling, to submit to the worldly influences within and around us. Jesus said in Mathew 7:13 that “The gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction.” No man by chance ever drifts towards Christ. This needs energy and force of character. But to drift away from Christ needs neither. We only have to surrender ourselves to the force of our natural instincts. It’s as easy as that my friend. 

One can also enter into the drifting zone when we are pre-occupied with doing other things that take care our minds off of what we should be doing. How many times have you been driving behind someone or even meeting someone on the interstate, freeway, etc, and all of a sudden begin to see them swerving to and fro? Most often you find these people either texting, putting on makeup, “reading” (yes…reading), or some other distraction that keeps them from staying “focused” on their intended destination. As believers, we must continually remain focused and keep our gaze and site fixed on the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ.

Many years ago, daddy had purchased a lake-house on Lake Murvall right outside of Carthage, TX. We were still currently living in Bossier City, LA., as daddy was serving in the U.S. Air Force. How I still remember those times when we would load up and travel to the lake-house and spend the weekend with relatives. On occasions, we would go fishing on the lake in a bass boat daddy had purchased. We would venture out until we reached our destination of where we thought the fish might be biting. To prevent the boat from “drifting away” from where we wished to remain steadfast, daddy would throw an “anchor” overboard. Much like this anchor was used to prevent us from drifting away from our location, we too must anchor ourselves to the only One who will keep our footing secure and prevent us from falling. Jude 1:24 reads, “God can guard you so that you don’t fall and so that you can be full of joy as you stand in His glorious presence without fault.” If you will anchor your life to Him, He will steady your ship, calm your stormy seas, and see you safely home. A ship securely anchored never drifts. And a life anchored to Christ by the four cables of faith, hope, love and service, consciously made and continually tested, will never drift. Thank God His Anchor Holds.

To Further His Kingdom,