Jesus is Our Anchor

Scriptural Foundation:

1 Corinthians 9:23-25 New King James Version (NKJV)

Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Hebrews 12:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 

Reflection:

My youngest loves her cowboy boots. This particular pair she has been wearing for over a year…even though at the start they were a little too big.  Now, my little lamb has gym almost every day at school. As a result, she has to pack sneakers so that she can wear her beloved boots.  One would think that by now mornings would run smoothly at least in this area because she and I have an understanding.  Yeeeeaaah, no…  At least once, if not twice a week she can’t find her sneakers and she is reduced to a tearful mess on the floor.

In our house every morning there is a mad dash for the door to get everyone up and at their respective places on time. As a mom, I have done my best to make the process as smooth as possible.  We have hooks by the door for our back packs and coats.  We have shoe cubbies in the garage and another one in the front hall closet.  We have a place to put the small forest of paper that comes home for school daily and a place for the lunch bags to be replenished for the next day.  So, why then with the stage all set, does my family still find a way to be upset and/or late getting out of the house? That is one of the great mysteries of life.

For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).  By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.

 – 2 Peter 1:3-4 (AMPC)

These are the days, I just have to laugh…not because I have finally lost it, but because I catch a glimpse as to what the Holy Spirit has to deal with on a daily basis with the children of God. The Lord through His son has given us everything we need in this life to run a successful race for the Kingdom of God.  Instead of using our secret weapon of unlimited Godly wisdom – the Holy Spirit –  we go through our days, months, years…banging our heads against the wall.  You know where you find walls? At dead-end streets…just saying.  I think I have a permanent mark on my spiritual forehead from past dead-end detours.

If what you have been doing in a certain area of life is not working, check in with the Lord and see if you are even in the right place. By place I mean spiritual…too many people move from place to place only to be in the same place spiritually.  If you are not bearing any fruit in your life….love, joy, peace, hope…chances are you are running in the wrong direction.  Stop, get on your knees and pray….yes physically…this is a lost practice in my humble opinion…and ask the Lord to lead you back to the path that He predestined you to be on.  Then get back up, dust yourself off, and start running your race again.  It is never too late to make a impact.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

• What areas in life have you veered off your path with the Holy Spirit?
• What areas do you feel like you are just banging your head against the wall? In that area, what is the opposite action of the action(s) that you are taking right now?
• Lay your frustrations at the feet of the Lord, listen to the wisdom that is given, and then act in obedience to that Word.