The Anchor

Abide-Anchor

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain…” Hebrews 6:19 NIV

“Love is the anchor through every storm.” Unknown

We are anchored to the Savior of our souls. He is Love.

Like a boat anchored to its dock, we are anchored to the Son. We do many things, float, roll side-to-side, sway, but we’re safe. We’re anchored. Firm. Secure. Even when hurricane waves roll over us.

We are anchored to the Son.

Many years ago, I had a 1964 Chevy Impala I loved. Really loved! I have a soft spot for American vintage cars not only because they remind me of American road trips (Route 66) and history but because they’re just so special. They all had a unique look with power and speed. However, I was driving my Impala at a reasonable speed in the middle of summer and the car stopped handling. She was swaying all over the road like I’d hit black ice. I stopped and looked all around the car. Flat tire? No. All good. Power steering fluid? All good. Pump? Good. Looked under the rear and there it was: a broken sway bar. How? I don’t know. It was not expensive to replace and the mechanic found a solid replacement from the junkyard. Soon after, I was zooming down the road.

Scary? Yes. Losing control is frightening, whether in a vintage car or other life experiences. We don’t have control over many things in our lives, especially others. Like a ping-pong ball hitting all sides and traps with noise and panic, life can be brutal. We need an anchor. Someone who keeps us centered. Someone we trust. This is where we may get into trouble. From numbing our feelings, denying our feelings and clinging to all sorts of inappropriate behaviors and toxic people, we become overwhelmed by a tidal wave of pain. We left the anchor of our souls. We no longer abide. We drift. We drown.

Time to enter the inner sanctuary. Drop anchor. Abide. This is our time to build up each other, remind each other, seek out each other and pray with each other. He’s always with us. He stretched out his hand to Peter who stepped out from the boat in the midst of a dreadful tempest. We can too. Any time. Any place. For any reason.

Musings

“If you feel separated from God, who moved?” Have you heard that quote before? There’s truth to it, though trite. And even better–a wonderful promise from scripture: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”  There have been times in my life when I thought and felt (scarier still) I would never be rescued, loved, or secure but I was. Firm. Secure. Anchored. Not by my own efforts. Not recognized until later. Have you experienced the same? Share it with someone who’s stumbling.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for your promise, “The enemy will not snatch them from my hand.” There are times when staying afloat is impossible but you are there. We may not feel it or recognize your constant presence until after the tidal wave rolls over us but we know your invisible hand saved us. Faith has increased because of the tempests and tests in life where your presence went before and during our trials.

We abide.

Amen.