Recently I purchased a red mylar balloon to use at a book signing in order to draw customers’ eyes to my location in the store. Afterward the event, I brought it home and left it unleashed in the dining/kitchen area. I enjoyed seeing it every day as it floated near the ceiling untethered. Notice the other balloon to the right is attached to the chocolate candy jar!
This morning I went grocery shopping, and when I returned, the balloon was not in the dining area. Where was it? I walked through my office and into the family room, and there it was near the bay window. Guess it was looking at the “view from my window”! HA! Well, I dutifully brought it back to the dining/kitchen area and left it to hang around.
Because of this gorgeous day, I ate lunch outside on the patio and began thinking about that balloon. It had floated away because it was not anchored or tied down to a heavier object. The currents from the HVAC system had moved it from one room to the next. Wish I could have watched a video recording of this! Sure enough, when I went inside, it had moved back to the family room again next to the fireplace!
God shared with me how we are so easily tossed, thrown, and/or dragged here and there, just as the balloon, if we are not anchored down. And not just anchored down to any heavy object but anchored down to the right source – Christ!
An anchor is someone or something that gives support when needed. Anchor
We need an anchor in our lives to keep us grounded and supported; to keep us tied to a reliable source who will move the anchor at just the right time for us; to keep us focused on what He wants/needs us to do for Him. If we are not anchored, we will be pulled away from the course to a dark and dangerous path.
Who do you think will be pulling us away from where God wants us to be? Yup! The enemy will be glad to pull our rope and steer us in some crazy kind of direction that will lead us down the wrong path and into the stormy seas.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-8 ESV)
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever, they sound like the truth. (Ephesians 4:14, NLT)
Let us not float around wherever the currents and teachings are towing us. We must take a stand for the One who created us; died for us; and gave us eternal life. The One who has plans for our lives and will lead us if we will anchor ourselves to Him and surrender to Him. Our anchor ropes are faith, trust, hope, and love. We need to stay tethered to them.
Years ago, I used to think that surrendering to Christ showed a lack of strength and fortitude, and it did – our own strength and fortitude. When we surrender to Christ, we offer ourselves to Him to fill us up with His strength and His fortitude. This is when and how He does His best work and uses us to bring others into the Kingdom.
Don’t fly out of control. Anchor yourself to the One who will never budge from you. He will always be steady and strong for you. And He loves you so much!! Keep those anchor ropes of faith, trust, hope, and love in good condition through prayer, Bible study, and communion with other believers.
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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