IS JESUS THE ANCHOR OF YOUR SOUL?

The world offers many kinds of anchors in the guise of people, places, and things. None begin to provide us with the lasting peace, joy, and love that Jesus offers. He is the only One who can keep you secure. Is He your choice?

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES        by Sally Bair

Your anchor

Anchors and chains don’t always keep a boat from drifting. Such was the case when my son and four others experienced their fishing vessel sinking during a storm. The North Pacific winds were so great, their anchor chain snapped, casting them adrift. Hours later, the Coast Guard rescued them from their life raft.

Typical boat anchors dig into mud or sand, like a claw, to hold a boat from moving.

Other kinds of anchors keep things secure, too. We anchor our tents with stakes, for instance, and farmers anchor their loose hay stacks with tarps.

The chain connected to a ship’s anchor is also important. It must be strong enough to hold the anchor in place. Yet because of nature’s unpredictable moods, sailors can’t always depend on even the strongest anchor and chain, as in my son’s case.

God is the surest, strongest anchor of our soul. And our spiritual chain to hold us to Him must be strong. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) When we abide in Him—that is, cling to Him as a chain does to its anchor—we can be secure enough to face any strong wind or vagary of nature or life that comes our way.

Our hope in Christ is “an anchor of the soul … sure and steadfast ….” (Hebrews 6:19)

The writer of Hebrews is telling us our hope in Christ is as secure as an anchor, not one set in sand or mud, but set in the very presence of the Almighty. Formerly, God dwelt behind the veil of the tabernacle and the temple. Since Jesus’ life-blood was shed for our sins, that veil was supernaturally torn in two, from top to bottom, to give us access to God.

Who is the anchor of your soul? How secure and strong is the spiritual chain that holds you to that anchor?

Lord, thank You for being the anchor of our soul. Keep us secure through every storm so our faith in You won’t go adrift. In Jesus’ name, amen.