The Waves. The Wind. The Will.

The Waves. The Wind. The Will. Hebrew 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.

There is something about water that truly amazes me…it has the power of peace…and the power of devastation. As a Johnstownian, I know that all too well--Floods over...or is it?! My most recent experience with water at Ohio Pyle was one that intertwined devastation and peace all in one. I got my peace from my Heavenly Father in a moment where I truly believed I was drowning and giving way to life. I certainly have a new found respect for water.

There is so often an unexplainable familiarity with water. People typically love the ocean because it pulls something out of them that they just cannot describe. I often find myself praying by a water source. There is something to it that just makes you feel so connected. Oh…that’s right we are comprised of 70% water! That’s right, as an adult we are merely 600 muscles, 79 organs, 206 bones, 100,000 miles of blood vessels, 45 miles of nerves, and 10 million miles of DNA floating in a pool of water. Of course we feel one with water. I also love the importance of water and birth. We are born of a Mother’s womb when her water breaks. We are born again when we wash ourselves in water with our proclamation of Christ over our life. The Bible makes many references to water.

Even in those peaceful moments, water can make us drift and float back and forth bobbing between the waves and ripples. This reminds me that we have to be so careful when we rest. God calls us to rest, but it is so important to be anchored to Him…in the peaceful waters and the stormy waters. I am reminded of two specific water stories in the Bible that showcase the importance of being anchored in Christ. The first one is when the disciples were on the boat and a storm rolled in (Matthew 14). The disciples were so focused on the storm that they forgot where they were anchored--in Christ who is in control. Peter taught us so many valuable things during this moment. Take the step. Face the storm. Keep your eyes on Jesus. When your eyes stay focused on Jesus you will conquer anything…even the impossible!! He also teaches us the second we take our eyes off of Jesus that the storm and our surroundings can consume us. But Jesus. He is still there even when we falter…all we have to do is reach for Him and Trust Him. He is our anchor that will keep us still and strong when we weather the storms. Sure there will be bumps and bruises along the way associated with the bobbing waves…but we will never lose our direction, position, or purpose when we are anchored in Christ.

The next specific story I am thinking of is when Paul was on a boat to Rome (Acts 27). His eyes were fixed on Jesus. He trusted God with his life and knew what God had imprinted on his heart. He communicated with the ship crew what God had relayed to him—He knew his purpose was to get to Rome to preach. Paul ended up saving the crew on the boat. Let us not forget that Paul was going there for a trial, but because Paul was anchored to God, he knew his real purpose was to go preach the gospel. Everything within that journey was an obstacle. There was no smooth sailing for Paul’s trip to Rome. It seemed like everything was going against them…the storms…the seas…the wind. There are two ways of looking at this…Paul was under an incredible attack by the enemy with all this being thrown at him OR it is just God showing His hand in everything. You see, the wind was going AGAINST them. If the wind was WITH them, then the credit would be given to the wind. If the seas were calm, the credit would be given to water or the captain. Everything was against them, but yet they still got to Rome. Paul had peace in the storms because he knew God was WITH him. If you know the whole story, you know that God even gave the boat “refuge” during the storm. The island, Malta, that the crew was shipwrecked on literally means refuge.

Both examples are about weathering the storm and the waters. The storms still ran their course. We can give tribute to the enemy and his efforts of trying to get us off course…or we can attribute it to God showcasing that He is in control; i.e. while the wind was AGAINST them, God still got them to their destination. It doesn’t matter which way you look at it, the former will always be true—God. Is. In. Control. And when you are anchored to Him and His word, you will know your direction and have a peace that passes all understanding regardless of circumstances. God gives us so many opportunities for us to give Him glory that He is in control. He does give us free will. We have the will to chose to be anchored in Him or we have the will to attribute circumstances to environment or even ourselves.

Where... and who... are you giving credit to in times of peace…and times of chaos? You see, in those times of chaos, we can really see God working and see His control. In the times of peace, when our focus isn’t challenged, we can easily drift away from our purpose or destination if we are not anchored in Christ. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that when we know Who is in control, we can have joy in the most turbulent and difficult times. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.