The anchor for life
Need an anchor for your life? Storms of life try to crush you on the rocks of reality? Family problems, loss of a job, the death of a loved one or a serious illness threaten to sweep away your home. The anchor for your life and the foundation of your home is the sure hope of salvation through Jesus Christ!
Tests flood you like waves that fall on a ship. Waves pile up high above you. Waters of water that roll like a wall onto ships and simply shatter them - such reports have long been dismissed as sailor stories. Meanwhile, we know: There are the monster waves. Then the memories of a peaceful sailing on smooth waters are over. At this moment, there are only thoughts about the ongoing process of salvation. The question is: survive or sink? However, to defy the storms of life, you need an anchor that holds you in place. This should save you from shattering on rocky shore.
The Book of Hebrews tells us we have an anchor, the sure hope of salvation through Jesus Christ: “Now it is impossible for God to lie, but here he has promised and sworn, and this is a powerful encouragement for us to make every effort to reach the goal of our hope, which is our refuge and anchor. It binds us to the innermost part of the heavenly sanctuary, the place behind the curtain.” (Hebr 6,18-19).
Your hope for eternal life is anchored in heaven, where the storms of your life can never sink your ship! The storms are still coming and raging around you. The waves hit you, but you know you do not need to be afraid. Its anchor is fixed in unsinkable sky. Your life is secured by Jesus Himself and forever! You have an anchor for life that gives you stability and security when your life is hit hard.
Jesus taught something similar in the Sermon on the Mount: “Therefore everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it was built on the rock. But everyone who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sandy ground. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell and was destroyed.” (Mat. 7,24-27).
Jesus describes two groups of people here: those who follow him, and those who do not follow him. Both build good looking houses and can keep their lives in order. The high water and the tidal waves hit the rock (Jesus) and cannot harm the house. Listening to Jesus doesn't prevent the rain, water and wind, it prevents total collapse. When the storms of life hit you, you need a solid foundation for your stabilization.
Jesus advises us not only to build our lives by hearing His words, but to apply them in practice. We need more than the name of Jesus. We need the willingness to do what he says. We should trust Jesus in daily life and live in faith in Him. Jesus gives you the choice. He says what will happen if you do not rely on him. Your behavior shows if you believe him and trust him.
by Joseph Tkach
