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Do Not Anchor Here
Atlanta’s not known for its plethora of bodies of water, so recently while visiting a city rich with rivers and lakes, I took notice of a strikingly large sign reading: “DO NOT ANCHOR HERE”.
Anchors – an item most of us will never use ourselves, yet its importance is common knowledge; cast into the water and set in the sea bed, anchors keep the vessel stable and grounded to avoid drifting in the midst of currents.
The anchors I see most are fashion pieces – suspended from a chain around someone’s neck or painted on the walls of a nautical-themed room. What is it about this symbol that makes us doodle it or tattoo it on ourselves if we’re not sailors or seafarers?
An anchor, albeit trendy or beautifully and simply symmetric, is a symbol of being grounded and stable.
If anchors are symbolically meant to ground us, 2 questions arise: (1) what are we using as an anchor, and (2) like the sign I encountered by the river, where are we choosing to anchor or “not anchor”?
For Christians, the Hebrew writer tells us plainly what that anchor is: “hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Heb. 6:19).
We can have confidence this anchor (or hope) of the soul is sure and steadfast because God promised it to those “who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Heb. 6:18b).
So if our anchor is hope, where are we setting our anchor?
“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3)
John says we can know our hope is cast in God’s promises if our life reflects one striving to imitate God.
The first half of Ephesians 5 gives a few practical ways to do just that:
- Instead of sharing in that crude conversation that seems to always come up at work, today bring up a blessing you’re especially thankful for.
- Better understand God’s will by setting aside time to read your Bible today.
- Reflect on yesterday. What did you do that would please God? What would He not be pleased with? What can you do today that will please him more?
- Expose the “unfruitful works of darkness” instead of keeping silent.
Which of these could you hold yourself to this week? When you demonstrate where your hope is cast, the world may react discouragingly. Remember the city you live in, the world we live in, was not made to be a permanent home. Do not anchor here!
“Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” (Heb. 13:13-14)
Take a moment and consider: is your anchor hope? If so, is it hope in God’s promises? Is it hope in a person or lifestyle or that thing you’re saving up for that promises to finally grant you happiness and fulfillment?
Friends, do not anchor here. God’s got the perfect place for us that won’t disappoint.
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matt. 6:20)
