Anchor

They had cast their anchor on soil just under the water in an open boathouse, and left the skivvy in what they thought was safe territory. For the home repair wouldn't take too long. And while they were up at the house, a storm began to brew. The winds were blowing, the waves had gained great momentum and as I watched from the shore the anchor broke free and little boat became swamped with water. It was one of those quick back to sleep dreams that you have no idea where they originated from, but wake up remembering every detail.

And it was a reminder to me to set my anchor in solid soil. For the storms will come, and the winds will blow and if I have not secured the boat of life in which I am sailing then I too can become swamped, and damaged. It is just a quirky analogy. And in this dream, I did run for help, and help came and the boat was rescued and restored. But it goes back to setting the anchor, so that you can be free to not worry about the storms.

Jesus Christ is our anchor. He is our steady, secured ground of hope, of forgiveness, of provision, and of love. He is the one who can quiet the rough waters with the sound of his voice. He is the one who can calm our anxious thoughts if only we come to him in faithfulness. Is there a storm brewing in your life? Finances, family relationships, health, marriages, overwhelming responsibilities, unrest at work, loneliness, grief, bitter emotions...these are just a few that each of us face. God uses those storms to get our attention and remind us that he stands waiting and watching for us to call to him for help. It sounds too easy, but the reality of it is it is true. For when we do humble ourselves unto him and realize that we are facing something that is just too grand to overcome alone, that is the pivotal point of our transformation. God will take us from there, if we let him, and he will change us. He will help us to find the peace and the help that we need.

I have learned in the past through years through difficult situations to not wait to set anchor when the storm comes but have that anchor in place before it comes. Be ready with God. God is the one with the strength and the might and the calm and holy perseverance to keep us steady in spite of life's circumstances. It is his soil of grace that we can bank upon in all situations, at all times, for all our life.

Hebrews 6:18-20 (New International Version, ©2011)
18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf

Is there something rocking your boat today? Have you carelessly secured your hope and trust on the world's offerings, or have you trusted in Christ to be your anchor? It is just something to think about and consider if you are being tossed around with the winds of emotion, clamor and discontent and unrest. For it is easy to get pulled under the current of growing waves of self absorbed, self centered, self contained ways. And as I write this I would like to think...I am not self centered but the reality is that anything that I do without God as my partner does puts me in the center not God...so that is being self centered. And that stinks to have to admit that. But it is a reality and truth.

Christ remains faithful and is trustworthy and the more we stretch ourselves to accept that trust and stand firm on it, the more able we are to see His glory through his workings in our lives, and even notice it in others.

It was a dream, but I know God even works in dreams to draw my attention back to him.

Dear Lord, what a blessing that you work through our thoughts, conscious and unconscious. May you equip me to better set my anchor on you and your ways instead of on simple sands of self centered desires. Amen

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Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!