Anchored or Drifting?
Pastor Steve Forsey, Harrow Baptist Church
When a camper finds the perfect spot for her tent, she brings out the tent pegs. These are driven into the ground to hold the tent in place so it isn’t blown away by the wind, or implode with her movements as she climbs in and out of her sleeping bag.
When a fisherman on a small lake discovers the perfect spot for fishing, he throws out his anchor so that his little boat does not drift away with the current as he focuses his attention on catching fish.
We live in a world where the current of culture’s priorities, values and agendas are constantly changing and growing stronger. We live in a world where the winds of new ideas, new “truth” and “my truth” blow ever more fierce and intimidating. We live in a world where personal and political conflict and bullying are intensifying. Therefore, it is critical that we set down anchors. We must drive stakes in the ground and secure ourselves from being blown in every direction at the whim of those around us. Followers of Jesus have anchors or “tent pegs” that serve to protect us from being “blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).
One of these pegs is humility. There is no room for pride in the kingdom of God. As we look back to where we came from, we are reminded that we all need God’s mercy and grace (Ephesians 2:1-10). It doesn’t matter what your history is, we are all rebels against God determined to go our own way. Understanding our need for God’s mercy helps us to live lives of humility before God and others, as well as lives of gratitude to the One who did not give us what we deserve, but instead sent His Son to rescue us.
Another anchor that provides stability to the followers of Jesus is hope. Not wishful thinking, but the sure and certain hope we have in eternal life through God’s Son. This world is not all there is. This life is not the whole story. There is so much more ahead, and God has something much greater in store for His people than anything offered to us here and now (2nd Peter 3). This hope keeps us focused and steady in the face of the storms we encounter in this life.
Another peg we have to keep us grounded is God Himself, and His Word, the Bible. God is unchanging, so is His Word. God is eternal, so is His Word (Psalm 90:2, Luke 21:33). We need to take God and His Word seriously. He said what He meant and He meant what He said. When we anchor our lives in honouring God, in believing and obeying His Word, we can withstand whatever comes our way. The Bible tells us how to be right with God, how to live lives that put Him first and bring Him glory. The Bible sets our minds on what God treasures, not on what people think. The Bible shapes our thinking and our actions to be more like Jesus.
One more anchor for which I am grateful, is the church family. As we worship God and learn and grow together, we also remind each other to live in humble gratitude to God for His mercy, to look ahead to our true home in eternity and to stay grounded in unchanging truth. Jesus prayed for His followers before going to the cross “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). God’s Word sets us apart for His purposes, showing us how to live as His people. It steadies our hearts in times of chaos. It stabilizes our minds in days of confusion and conflicting messages.
These are stormy times. Will you join us and surrender your life to the Lord, Jesus Christ? Come set down anchors with us. Yes, you will still be bounced around on the waves, but they will no longer set your course. Your heart and your life will be secure.