From Lukewarm to Devoted

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19)

So, my friend Max and I decided to hit the waters here in South Florida for a boating day. Now, we’re no strangers to boating, but driving the boat ourselves for the first time (jetskis excluded) was a whole new adventure. We were having a great time until, well, we crashed! Looking back, it’s a good laugh, but it also taught me a lesson on avoiding life drift, especially when it comes to drifting away from God.

Here’s the tea: After cruising around the inlet and trying out the boat, Max and I dropped anchor to chill for a bit. Being newbie boaters, we didn’t realize there was more to it than just dropping the anchor. With the anchor down, we kicked back, not realizing we were slowly drifting. Since there were no landmarks around to gauge distance, we were clueless about the drift. It wasn’t until I finished a chapter of the book I was reading that I looked up to see we were heading straight for a boat docked nearby! Panic set in as we failed at quick maneuvers to avoid a crash. We apologized to the boat owner, who had rushed out of her house, and thankfully, the damage was minimal. More chaos followed, but that’s a story for another time.

This mishap taught me two things: 

1. Secure that anchor! Don’t just assume it’s dug deep; test it a few times.
2. When navigating life’s waves, keep your head up. Don’t get too caught up in entertainment that you miss potential dangers – lift your head to gauge, combat, or adjust before things get messy.

 It’s a lesson that applies not just to boating but to life’s journey as well.

So, Jesus is our anchor, and drifting happens sneakily without us realizing it. Just like we thought we were in the same place until nearly crashing, it’s the same with our fire and zeal for Christ sometimes. We might think we’re still on fire, only to realize we’ve slowly drifted into lukewarm territory.  For me, it usually starts with brushing off “small sins,” not-so-holy behavior, or talking to God less—skipping those heart-to-heart talks for the “small decisions” I used to bring to Him. Before I know it, I’m on a collision course with the consequences of my choices.

That’s why dropping our anchor deep is crucial—it goes past the surface, ensuring we don’t get blown away when the winds of life pick up. The anchor digs deeper, providing resistance when things change, keeping us steadfast and unmovable.

Since God is our anchor, the secure connection of our relationship with Him depends on how deeply we pursue it. We need a rock-solid foundation to withstand life’s waves and winds. It’s not enough to drop the anchor – ie: saying we believe in Christ and casually reading verses – and assume we’re good. We need to develop and maintain a deep relationship with the Lord through daily reading of His Word, prayer, and repentance. That’s when you’ll know your anchor is deep, and no storm can rock you.

Lastly, don’t get so caught up in the entertainment, problems, or pleasures right in front of you when God is all around. When your head is down, like mine was on that boat, you miss what’s happening. You might miss the temptation or problem heading your way and the warning signs of its consequences; and God’s guidance to navigate it. It’s just like life—when we’re so absorbed in what we’re doing, the fun we’re having, or the problems we’re fixing, we might not notice how it’s affecting our minds. We could be turning into pleasure seekers or worry warts, and God doesn’t want that for us. But with our heads down, we miss the subtle shifts in our minds and the need to change course and repent. That’s all repentance is, changing course; from one direction to another with a pure heart, seeking forgiveness. 

So, if you find yourself drifting like I was, don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, lift your head, take a good look around, and change course back to the deep. Drop your anchor down, but don’t forget to check its security by connecting with God every day. Read the Bible, listen to worship music, pray, and seek His face everyday. Stay anchored, and you’ll navigate life’s waters with confidence.