"We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure."
Hebrews 6:18
This two-sentence verse is loaded with visual images for us to contemplate. The writer gave us images that we can picture in our minds. . . which is a foundational piece of human learning and retention. Since the foundational HOPE subject is, in itself, intangible, it’s hard for us to see it as a reality.
God, via Paul, gives us a tangible word picture to help us understand a very foundational Truth that needs to be solidly central to our minds, hearts, and life. It is not some ethereal concept that we can simply state but not allow it to permeate the entire core of our lives…it becomes a reality, not just a concept. Paul is talking about the inner sanctuary that God created in every person He brought into being. God formed each of us with the God-space inside of us to be able to be in relationship with Him on a deeply personal level. Our “soul” space.
Paul is using the world picture of the Temple in Jerusalem, the place that was a visual image of God’s desire to be with His people on this earth. God designed it, in detail, and provided a tangible image for us to “see” how we can come to Him and connect with Him. There were layers of the Temple that were visuals of how to move towards Him, beginning with entering, getting physically cleaned up, moving into His Presence, and communicating with Him… and preparing to listen to Him communicating with us.
Paul uses an “anchor” image, critically essential for humans in any boat when a storm comes, the waves toss, rocks loom, masts tear, and the rains and winds wreak havoc. Human control is limited to simply trying to keep one’s head and boat above water. We desperately scramble to save ourselves from the storm . . . from our boat taking on too much water . . . grabbing our life-jackets. . . getting “all hands on deck”…
bailing out water. But in reality, it’s beyond our control.
Jesus’ 12 disciples experienced that exact crisis on the sea, with Jesus in the boat. They had witnessed Him doing some amazing miracles, but when they were in a terrible situation beyond their control, they panicked. And Jesus was right there in it with them…but sleeping. His panicking friends frantically woke Him up. From what must have been a deep, needed sleep, He simply addressed the wind and waves with two Words, “Be still.” BOOM! Done.
But I wonder, was Jesus only addressing the wind and waves? The storm? Or was He really addressing His friends? “Be still.”
When the storms take over your life, there is fear. You try to fix it. You try to bail. You panic. You wish you’d never even gotten into the boat, no matter who else was in it with you. You cling to anything that might work.
But if Jesus is in the boat with you, He is the One you need to talk to. When we’re in a seemingly hopeless situation, and we’re scrambling to fix it or find some way out, we truly have to go to Him with the situation. It’s beyond you.
No matter what “it” is, it is not beyond Him. Have you been trying to bail yourself out? Grabbing life jackets to save yourself? Shooting off flares for someone to rescue you?
Is Jesus in your boat? Have you forgotten His Presence and His Power in the midst of your familiarity of following Him? Has your sea been calm for a while? Have you felt like He is “sleeping” and unaware of you?
If you have chosen to follow Him, there is nothing that will separate Him from you. He’s
there, even if you’ve been so busy “bailing” that you forgot that fact. Take the step to come to Him. Tell Him about your fears, and what is causing them. Talk to Him. Ask Him. Remind yourself of His Presence “in your boat.”
He is able to still the waves in your life. HE is the Anchor that steadies it. Focus on His Presence, no matter what is causing you to fear. He is there..
Read Janet’s book Not Forgotten, Available on Amazon
