Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. (Hebrews 2:1 ESV)

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No land in sight, all alone, and suddenly realizing what I was anchored to left me in no better shape than had I not been anchored at all. Up until this point, the day couldn’t have seemingly gone much better. I was having a good time, catching plenty of fish, and the weather out in the Gulf of Mexico was fair. I had worked hard to save for and bring this little boat back to life – or at least to get me out a few more miles offshore than I should have been. So surely, what could go wrong – I hadn’t intentionally put myself in dangerous territory.

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Yet it can be really easy sometimes to live our lives just like that – not a care in the world, having a good time, and unaware of what we’re headed towards. But life takes intentionality, attentiveness, and commitment, lest we find ourselves drifting.

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Often the storms in life are quite revealing. Sometimes it’s the weather approaching that causes us to assess our current circumstances. Other times, it’s not until we encounter storms that we experience a painful realization of our true condition. Just like 16-year-old me alone in that boat having engine troubles, if you don’t pay close attention, you may end up far from where you intended to be. The good news is that Jesus offers us the opportunity to be anchored securely in him.  

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Today’s Scripture comes as a reminder that we must intentionally keep our eyes fixed on the truth that God speaks to us because we are prone to drifting away. We are always either growing closer to Jesus or drifting further from him. The lies we encounter in the noise of this world will deceive us if we aren’t careful to stay rooted in truth.  

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Whether you have found yourself adrift before and far from God or maybe right now you are on the journey to learn who he is, there is an opportunity. You get to make the decision to fully commit to the life that Jesus is inviting you to. This isn’t a declaration of perfection. It’s a choice to surrender daily to the one who wants to make you holy. It’s walking closer to Jesus as you lay down all that wants to distance you from him.  

Take a few minutes to think through these questions:

• When have I been closest to Jesus, when have I felt far?  

• Are the things forming me in my life consistent with the truths of his Word?

• Do I invite people in so that we can help each other live out what we were created for?

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What has God brought to mind that’s drawing you closer or causing you to drift? Find one adjustment to make this week that will help you move closer to him.