Most of us probably don’t often find ourselves in the open waters drifting in a boat, or tossed by a gail that comes out of nowhere and causes us to be thrown around at sea, and we don’t find ourselves literally lost at sea. But we’ve all heard stories and we all know the general idea of an anchor. An anchor is something so strong and heavy that when lowered, it keeps the whole boat in place. 

Maybe a more relatable version to us in good ole Indiana would be like a raft that floats around a small area but it always stays on the same spot on the water. Because it is anchored. It is immovable; despite what happens along the surface of the water, the raft remains the same.

In our lives, we might not need to be literally anchored down or stationed in one specific spot, but we do find ourselves drifting in our faith. How often do you realign yourself to the truth? Or go to the word of God to remind yourself of why you are a christian. 

In Hebrews 4 and again in 1 Peter 1, the word of God is described as a “living word.” It is constantly changing and adapting. Now clearly it is not actually changing or being adapted literally, if that were the case we would have to get a new Bible every few months to stay up to date. So what does it mean?

It means that the Words of God are literally alive. Each time you read the Word, God is speaking to you in a new way. Maybe you read the same section two years apart and take notes on it. The first time you read it you took notes all about faithfulness and how important it is to be faithful. Then the next time you read it, you take brand new notes and everything you wrote was about God and how powerful and mighty he is. This is why we are called to study and meditate on his word, because each time we read, God is going to speak to us in a new way that is relevant to what is going on in our lives.

I’ve been reading the Bible for 20 years now and I read the same sections and every time I read I find something I didn’t notice before, or I make a connection that I didn’t make before. God is ever adapting to us and our needs, however, what’s so important is that while he may reveal different things to us, he is always the same. God never changes. He is always the same God no matter what.

Now, what does all that have to do with anchors? As we read God’s word it anchors us. It keeps us centered on what God wants for us and it shows us God’s character. It reminds us of truth and what God says about us. 

As we are reading though, certain verses always seem to stick out. Maybe it reminds you of a time in your life when you first read it and it really spoke to you. Or maybe it was a reminder to you of who God says you are despite what others say. Maybe it’s an encouragement to you to keep going when life is heavy. These verses tend to anchor us to truth. When we start to drift too far from the truth they bring us back centered on the anchor. We cannot go far because these words of God keep us in place.

To use myself as an example. I have two anchor verses that I always fall back on Psalms 42:11 and Ephesians 6:13-14

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

    and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

    my salvation and my God.

Psalms 42:11

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Ephesians 6:13-14

These verses, while they may seem random or they don’t really make sense, remind me of my purpose and they remind me to keep going. When life is hard, I repeat these verses to myself to remind myself to keep going. 

Challenge:

• This week find three verses that you can use as anchor verses. To remind you of whatever it is you need reminded of (identity, purpose, encouragement to keep going, etc).
• Write them down and explain why they are important to you and why you chose them.

You may already have anchor verses that you remind yourself of as well, that is fine! Write them down and explain why they anchor you.

• Next write each one down on a sticky note or a piece of paper and put it somewhere you will see it everyday. As a daily reminder for you.

I encourage you all, if you haven’t already, to memorize at least one verse that you can use to encourage and remind yourself of in moments when life is heavy.