Deeply Anchored

The ship's captain slows his vessel steadily until at last his boat has completely ceased all motion, save the gentle rocking and swaying he's now grown accustomed to.


The fresh air is warm as the brilliant sunshine seems to dance upon the ocean.  The slight breeze of saltwater air fills his lungs as he glances all around him in every direction.  


All is calm.  


A more beautiful day on this ocean he has never seen.


He takes yet another deep, cleansing breath, then plunges into his next assignment.  The anchor must be lowered.


As he carefully lowers the sturdy anchor to the bottom of the ocean, he knows that he can not rest until the anchor is secured.  Deeply and fully.


Although his body is aching from his long voyage and his stomach "graciously" reminds him of the meals he has missed, he must press on and take the time to do this correctly.


There is not a cloud in sight.  Yet, he has learned that it does not matter what the situation appears to be, he needs to be held steady and secure in his chosen location for this moment.


This was not always his tactic.  His body bears scars from injuries sustained on this very ship while being thrown ever so violently and relentlessly against the side of deck in unpredicted storms.  

He knew that the results could have been much worse.  He is thankful, not only for his life being spared, but also, the invaluable life lessons that now permeates through the very core of his being. 


Sure, he had dropped the anchor for many years, but not deeply.  Not enough to make much of an impact when the storms arose.


Now, as a changed man, regardless of the time and energy it takes to anchor deeply, he makes that his first priority.  


Above all else.  


And it has made ALL the difference in the world.  


The storms still come, however, he's no longer trying to hold everything down by his own strength and limited abilities.  This active and daily surrender has provided more freedom than ever before as he works in a rhythm of harmony and unity with The Anchor Himself.

This, my friends, could easily be the story of my life too.  As I was reflecting upon this past month of October, "Calm Mom Month", I came up with this image to illustrate how I felt as I look back on the journey I embarked on just a month ago.

The lessons God has taught me through my time reading His Word and hanging out in His presence before the storms of each day tossed me this way and that have deeply anchored me like nothing I have ever felt before.

I have learned that putting my anchor down and just going through the motions is pointless.  When the storms come, there is no center or anchor to keep me from floating away.

It's NOT that God leaves me in those times, but rather that I am not even remotely in the vicinity of Him or all the life preservers He continues to throw my way.

Friends, I can't be more passionate about this!  If you are feeling God calling you closer to Him, if you're feeling like He is whispering your name, (or using a megaphone for that matter), TAKE THE TIME to get anchored!  Before another storm comes and knocks you off course.

I don't have it all figured out, not even close to that.  All I know is that I have been beat up and bruised too many times in the storms of life and found myself heading off in a different destination than I planned on that morning -- because my anchor was just not placed deep enough EACH DAY.

Don't go years wondering aimlessly on the sea of life.  God has a MUCH better plan!!

Dear Jesus, forgive me for I often just going through the motions as I drop a shallow anchor.  You have come to give us life to the fullest and I want to be a part of that!  Help me, each early morning, as I drop my anchor and let you take hold.  Please tug on my heart when I've gone off course and need to return back to base and get grounded again in order for you to take hold for me.  Thank You for your patience, grace, forgiveness and love.  Thank You for being willing and able to guide me through the storms.


In Your Sweet and Precious Name, Amen.