Anchored to the Immovable

At times it is easy to forget the things that provide an anchor.  We allow ourselves to be tossed about by events and circumstances rather than to "catch hold" of something stronger that will allow us to ride out the storms.  That is the purpose of an anchor -- to hold us to something that is immovable that will be unaffected by the storms that rage.

There are many kinds of storms that affect us.  Yesterday was one of those days when we knew thunderstorms were coming from the west.  We knew far in advance that they were likely to bring severe weather and so we prepared.  Fortunately, the severe storms missed us, but the point is they were the type for which we could prepare because of advance warning.  Often, storms pop up quickly, with little advance warning and they can bring hail and wind or, even a tornado.  They often catch us unaware.

Weather is one type of storm, but the kind that truly impact us are the ones that challenge us in other ways.  It could be illness, job loss, death of a family member, or many of the other things that create difficulties for us on journey through life.  Sometimes we can prepare for such things but, at other times they happen without warning.  Those seem to be the kind that are most troubling.

I was reminded of this aspect of life this morning as I looked at one of my favorite passages in the Bible:  James 1:2-7

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you many be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

God has given us the tools to ride out the storm.  Faith is our anchor that ties us to the immovable.  I pray this morning that your faith is in the Truth which is Jesus.