“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)
Many years ago, we owned a pontoon boat that you could turn into a camper. We decided a fun family outing would be to carry the kids to the Bat Cave near Guntersville Dam and then camp close by for the night. We found a slough close to the cave and pulled into it and anchored down for the night. It was a great idea and extremely fun until about midnight, when we heard the most alarming blast of a horn that was right next to us. We woke up to realize we had drifted out into the middle of the Tennessee River, and a group of barges was heading straight for us. The horn blast was to warn us of the impending danger we faced.
Fear and panic gripped our hearts and minds, and, through shouting to the Lord for protection, the boat cranked quickly (sometimes it was stubborn to crank), and we were able to drive it back toward the safety of the slough. Back in our safe place, we realized that our anchor did not hold us in place, and our tying off job also failed.
We were delivered from an extremely dangerous situation that we never thought would happen because we had a false sense of safety,
We learned that night that when we think we are well anchored and tied off well, the strong river currents can overwhelm our feeble efforts. How much more dangerous then, to drift away from Jesus, our safe harbor. Realizing that weeks or months or years have gone by. We have been carried into the currents of life where there are numerous dangers waiting to overwhelm us.
FOCUS OR DRIFT
Before we know it, the currents have taken us far from the safety of where we were once planted in Jesus, and we struggle to find our way back.
One mark of Christian maturity is learning that none of us passively drift toward Jesus, not even if we have been a follower for years or decades. In our focal passage, we read to pay careful attention to what we have heard. The Greek word for this phrase is prosechein, which also means “to give heed, to be cautious, to devote oneself.” We are called to pay attention because the progression of one small temptation can lead to a wrong decision, and then, before we even are aware, we have drifted away from the intimacy we crave with Jesus.
THE DRIFT HAPPENS
Sometimes out of busyness.
Sometimes out of hurt.
Sometimes, because things are bad.
Sometimes, because things are good.
Sometimes, because we are overwhelmed.
Sometimes, because it is hard to forgive and move forward.
By definition, to drift means “a continuous slow movement from one place to another.”
It does not happen quickly. It often takes us unaware. It is simply the natural process that occurs when we lose our bearings and stop moving in the right direction. The slow drift in the wrong direction.
We must intentionally work at remembering to seek a relationship with Jesus each new day. Keeping our eyes on our Savior is mandatory.
DANGERS OF DRIFTING
We stop praying. We are too busy. We are weary. Or simply overwhelmed. We shoot a prayer up His way, like, “Lord, bless our day,” but we are unaffected by the lack of closeness we have with our Creator. Constantly wired to electronic devices, we are more in tune with what others are saying and doing, the constant media chatter, than we are with what is on God’s heart for the day. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
We lose focus, or desire, for His Word. Weare no longer reading or hearing it. We get distracted by all that calls our name throughout the day. To-do lists beckon us from the moment we wake up, and crazy schedules leave no room for moments with Him. Or we find ourselves just disconnected completely. Stone cold, distant, withdrawn, His words of life and truth fall on deaf ears and hardened hearts. Matthew13:14-15
We lose our hearts for worship. We stop going to church and fill our minds with excuses of why we cannot. Or why it is not that important. Or we still go so we can check the church box. We sing words, hear words, then we go home. Yet not really singing and not really hearing. Unaffected. Distant. All the while, our hearts feel a million miles away. Hebrews10:25
Spiritual things that once concerned us no longer do. We are more easily influenced by the opinions of the world instead of the truth of God’s Word. Compassion for people declines. His Spirit within us is stifled. Our heart is dulled. The pull towards sin increases. We begin to see life through selfish motives, blurred by pride, and our quest to live
happily on our terms. We find ourselves twisting truth to meet our own needs. We become numb to the danger that surrounds us, often until it is too late to avoid the great consequences that follow our choices. 1 John 2:16, 2 Timothy 4:4
But we do not have to live that way, we can choose differently…
And that is not always easy. Because often, it is easier to just go with the flow. It takes effort and hard work not to drift away. Knowing “of” truth is not the same as immersing ourselves “in” truth. One will keep us aware of and close to our
Safety, the other may allow us to drift slowly in the wrong direction.
DRIVE BACK TO SAFE HARBOR!
“We must pay more careful attention (to devote thought and effort to, as if to bring a ship to land), therefore, to what we have heard (which was the Word of God, Jesus Christ), so that we do not drift away (to let slip away, to be carried away).” Heb. 2:1
Pay careful attention, stay aware, and alert. Staying close to Jesus means we are daily moving toward Him. We seek ways to deepen our walk and understanding of His Word.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Pet. 5:8
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38
Listen to and meditate on His Words that are Truth. Staying in the Word through favorite devotions or Bible studies can keep us focused.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2
Choose to stay close, to remain anchored in Him. Staying close to Jesus requires us to set aside time daily to spend time with Him. The following verse is one of my favorites.
“Choose this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
“We have this hope as the anchor for the soul, firm and secure…” Hebrews 6:19
Sometimes we get a wake-up call like a horn blast from a tugboat! We are stirred out of the lull, suddenly realizing how far we have gone. We see where we are headed. And we start the boat and head back to safety.
If you find yourself there, He longs to pull you back, close to Himself. Do not wait till tomorrow to set your heart in the right direction. Confess where you are at, turn back to Him. It is never too late, no matter where you find yourself now.
We have the power, through Christ, to choose wisely.
It is there; we find safety under His protection and live within His blessing.
MY PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending us, Jesus, born as a baby to be our sacrifice for all our sins and giving us eternal life now and forever. Forgive us for drifting away from You, for allowing other things to become more important in our lives. Help us to live aware, to choose wisely, to stay close to You, and anchored in Your Truth. Apart from You, we have no hope. Thank You for Your great love and mercy, thank You for waiting for us, that You call us to Yourself, and You strengthen us in our weakness. Thank You that You alone are our Refuge and Safety, and You fill us with hope. We come to You today, choosing to walk in Your Presence and Light.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Rebekah Marsh
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#rebekahmarshblogs