Our Reliable Anchor (by Cathe Laurie)
“This hope we hold as the utterly reliable anchor for our souls, fixed in the very certainty of God himself in Heaven, where Jesus has already entered on our behalf” (Hebrews 6:19 PHILLIPS).
Greg and I used to love walking through the town of Lahaina, HI. Great food, cute shops, and rich history. We would wander around the banyan tree and the old parts of town, soaking in the stories every building had to tell.
And by the Old Lahaina Prison, there was an old ship anchor. It leaned against the strong brick wall, a giant piece of metal that would keep ships steady and secure in the ocean’s changing tides. If you’ve ever seen a ship anchor in person, you know what I’m talking about. They’re huge and heavy, and you know that once they’ve caught on something, there’s no moving them.
We Need an Anchor Amid Life’s Challenges
Often, life can feel like the tumbling tides and currents of the ocean. With waves crashing around us, we can become distracted and overwhelmed. Without anything to hold us down, we can easily be swayed and tossed about, subject to whatever comes our way. We’re drawn to each new shiny thing the world tells us is important: recognition, pleasure, money, power . . . whatever new trend is spinning around social media.
Without an anchor—without a steady point on which to hold ourselves—we can drift and be swayed any which way. Thankfully, God has just what we need: our hope in His eternal life. It is an “anchor for our souls” that is “fixed in the very certainty of God”.
An anchor for our souls, fixed in the certainty of God. What could be better?
Jesus Is in Our Storms
It reminds me of Jesus reaching out to Peter in the midst of the storm. Peter, staring at the waves, became overwhelmed. But Jesus reached out and, with just His touch and His voice, secured Peter and made him walk on water! (see Matthew 14:22-33)
We have an anchor—a steady, firm, immovable hope—to keep us stable no matter what. We cling to the promise of eternal life as a solid focal point, to keep us on the path of righteousness and in the arms of the Lord.
Overcoming Our Hardship
When the tragedy of the wildfire hit Lahaina in 2023, most of the town did not survive. But one item that remained was that old anchor. It survived the intense heat of the fires and will someday be on display again.
Friends, I hope that gives you as much hope as it gives me. When the waves come, we don’t have to be afraid. When we find ourselves unsure, we don’t have to wonder. When temptation comes, we know we have a promise that far exceeds anything the world has to offer.
Hold tightly to the anchor that is fixed in the Lord. It is an anchor to Heaven, a line to our eternal future with God. When we are secured in eternity, there is nothing that can pull us away.
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Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.
