Drifting aimlessly like a ship lost at sea; my family and I swirling around and around endlessly in this sea of confusion. Salty spray slaps at our face mingling with tears of frustration and disillusionment. The sail and rudder intact but whipped out of our hands by high winds brought on by sudden unexpected change. The waves once calm and inviting churn over and over in the enemies attempt to get us to take our eyes off of the one who calms them. An s.o.s sent to dear ones brings a modicum of relief as they minister to our brokenness. I know however, the journey is far from over and in order to fair well on these most dangerous windswept seas we must look for and anchor in deep to the one who can bring calm from chaos.

How does one have hope when circumstances do not line up the way you had hoped. When you poured your heart and soul into what you believed God had for you to do and suddenly it is gone? How do you have hope in circumstances that feel far out of your control? When you feel a deep loss or feel as if much was asked of you or much was taken from you? If the emotions you feel at this moment are just too hard for words how do you find hope in the middle of it all to sustain you and keep you from going under? Where is the life vest and rescue crew?

Sometimes hope feels elusive in the middle of the storm. But is it? The writer of Hebrews says that we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. (Hebrews 6:19)

Sofia Bricker wrote in Christianity Today (July 2022) that “During biblical times, anchors on boats were not lowered into the ocean. Instead, a sailor would leave the boat and secure the anchor on shore to keep it from floating away. Jesus is like that sailor. He entered the Father’s presence in the Holy of Holies in heaven at the ascension. Christ is our forerunner and High Priest (Hebrews 6:20). Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we have assured hope anchored in heaven’s sanctuary.”

If we look at it this way we can say that an anchor is to a boat what Christ salvation is to a believer. Stability, security, steadfastness. In other words, as mature believers; the hope we have in Jesus keeps us on coarse. Tethered to his promise that he will carry out his word, his promises being yes and amen. We can be assured that even when circumstances leave us reeling and uncertain; we can trust in Him since he cannot lie.

He gives us hope and a future. Everywhere we look there is hope blasting the darkness like a lighthouse filled with glory to keep us from dashing our boat upon the rocks of discouragement or better yet a buoy set out in the wide open ocean by sovereign hands to give us something to tether to so as not to drift away into the bitterness of a hope deferred. The key though, is you have to look with eyes of expectancy. Eyes given by our father for this type of journey.

Keeping our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith. Our hope firmly anchored in his most holiest of holies. And our selves rooted and established in his Love we can journey out into the unknown with an expectation of his word being fulfilled in our lives to a greater degree than we could ever hope or imagine.

Copyright©2023 Melanie McKinley.  All Rights Reserved