Grounded
The last couple of weeks I somehow got "out of synch". What I mean is that I lost the usual rhythm of my life. This happens from time to time and it always seems to take some effort to get back into the groove.
Warning Signs
The warning signs are always easy to spot in hindsight but usually look like this:
- Not praying on-line as much
- Not watching services on-line as much
- Not reading my bible as much
- Not listening to worship music as much
- Not walking the dogs (praying in the secret place) as much
- Not taking communion each day
- Not sleeping well
- Getting up late
- Finding it difficult to get the time to fulfil regular habits
- Getting frustrated by not having done something I wanted to do
- Feeling out of control of my time
- Starting to rely on my own capabilities ...
Thumbing through the pages of my daily journal also exhibits the various warning signs as the usual daily activities start to diminish and the daily entries become shorter.
Distractions Abound
There are so many distractions in life that it can be all too easy to get distracted and fail to see the initial warning signs. It can and does happen to anyone and everyone. Especially because our enemy the devil makes every effort to distract us all the time!
Life Is Unpredictable
However, some of these "distractions" are actually life events that rightly demand our time and need to be addressed as a priority ahead of other things. These things may break our routine and leave us feeling "out of synch", albeit for all the right reasons.
Life is unpredictable and we never know what circumstance we might suddenly find ourselves in. The recent Beruit port explosion (4th August, 2020) is a devestating and shocking example of how life can abruptly change without any warning, as if the Corona Virus pandemic wasn't already enough of an example.
"Losing the plot" is not an option in life. We have to remain "grounded", whatever situation we find ourselves in. But how do you do that?
Sure and Steadfast
As a child, I was in the Junior Boys Brigade. One Monday night, at my first meeting, I learned their motto: "Sure and Steadfast".
At the time I didn't realise it was a quote from the bible (see Hebrews 6:18-20).
We Have An Anchor
The Boys Brigade also had a hymn that we would sing called "We Have An Anchor" which included the "Sure and Steadfast" motto in the chorus. Here's the first verse and chorus to give you a flavour:
Hymn: We Have An Anchor
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
Chorus
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.
Jesus Is My Anchor
It seems strange to me now to realise just how important that Boys Brigade motto is, and even more so to have such a thing in life to be able to cling to and depend on no matter what happens, ready or not, when the billows roll.
I thank God that as a Christian I have such an anchor Jesus, whose love keeps me "grounded" in the storms of life.
When I'm way beyond my own limitations, I can always let go and let God!
I may not know what the future holds but I know who holds my future. Why not put your trust in Jesus too?
Tim Simpson
9th August, 2020
#ChristianDogWalker