Where is Your Anchor?
A devotional by Peg Arnold
“This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself behind the sacred curtains of heaven.”
—Hebrews 6:19 (TLB)
Throughout my childhood, my family spent most of our summer vacation on a spring-fed lake nestled in the wooded hills of northern Michigan.
Each day was filled with endless opportunities: hikes in the woods, fires in the fireplace, card games, hours in the water, and much more. My favorite activity as a teenage girl was sunbathing. Often, I would do this with a girlfriend, a sister, or a cousin on towels spread on the dock. Sometimes, we would swim to a raft and lie in the warm sun until we were dry. I’ll never forget the bravery it took to jump into the chilly water and swim to shore.
One day, with the sunlight shimmering on the lake like sparkling diamonds, my girlfriend and I decided to take her little sunfish sailboat out. We weren’t great sailors, but the wind was calm, so we figured the boat wouldn’t go far. We drifted aimlessly while basking in the sun, and the waves soon rocked us to sleep. How shocked we were when we opened our eyes and realized we had drifted far out of sight from our familiar shoreline!
We searched for the paddle to help guide us back to shore. Panic struck when no paddle was found, and we would need to raise the sail and navigate our way back. It took us quite a while to return home, making us understand the value of an anchor and a paddle.
Jesus Christ is referred to as an anchor. He is the source of our hope and strength in times of persecution and challenge. Jesus connects me to His power and direction. His anchor has a line providing some freedom of movement but always keeping me tethered to Him, even amid stormy seas. As my relationship grows with Christ, I become more aware of His presence and keenly sense His gentle pull when I begin to drift with the waves of distractions.
But just like the story I shared from my childhood, in my daily life as an adult, I am still vulnerable to drifting. Whether it is the winds of distractions pulling me away from tasks and relationships, the wandering thoughts sidetracking my prayer time, or the worry waves consuming my mind and causing panic and anxiety. During these times, I am much like that boat, drifting in the middle of the lake. An anchor secures me and keeps me centered on my purpose. It’s not meant to be a burden or weigh me down.
How do I keep this connection with God and not be weighed down by the world? How do I strengthen my awareness of Christ’s presence amidst the many distractions in my daily living? I’ve learned that reading devotions everyday help to center my mind and anchor my soul in God’s Word, but sometimes, I require more. Scripture encourages us to rest just like God rested on the seventh day after creating the world and all that is in it. Sabbath rest is important to help humankind stay healthy and anchored in God. I have found this concept of rest to be helpful.
Let’s return to my story about the time when me and my friend drifted far from shore. Here’s how the story ends: After the panic subsided, my girlfriend and I regrouped. She remembered putting the sail up with her dad, and we clumsily raised it as the boat rocked back and forth. We tried to catch the wind, but not being sailors, we did not understand the physics of tacking back and forth against the force of the breeze. We were burned and exhausted when we reached the shore but relieved to walk on solid ground. We definitely needed to rest!
Two lessons learned that day were the importance of being prepared for the unexpected and persevering when faced with a challenge. God promises that He will be there when we are unprepared or unsure. As our guide, He will help us find our way through difficulties by staying anchored to Him.
How do you connect with God’s hope and strength? Remember: He can be your anchor when you are drifting in the waves of distractions or tossing in the turbulence of the stormy seas.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Lord, I confess that I tend to do things by my own strength. I leave things undone, focus on the unimportant, and respond to urgent voices. Help me to place my hope and strength in You to avoid drifting to the aimless wind, be aware of Your presence, and be anchored to Your purpose and course. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “The Anchor Holds” by Ray Boltz. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Peg Arnold, Speaker/Author/Teacher is a Drama Queen for Jesus.
Her vibrant, interactive, and soul-stirring messages encourage all to embrace their God-given value. As a mom, wife, nana, mentor, with a master’s in counseling, she connects on a personal basis by sharing her joys and challenges of many life experiences through her dramas, messages, and witness. Whether talking with a friend over coffee or addressing hundreds of people at a conference, her passion for equipping women is contagious.
She has published devotions on YouVersion and in the Upper Room. In addition, she has contributed to two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, three anthologies, numerous articles, and blogs. Her devotional, Devotions for the Distracted Heart, received a 2022 OASIS award.
Peg desires everyone to know that their story is important and has a purpose. She grew up in Michigan and raised her family in Maryland. Later in life, Peg and her husband relocated close to their family in Colorado.
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Connect with Peg:
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Devotions for the Distracted Heart blog: https://pegarnold.wordpress.com/
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