Adrift



I think most people know the importance of boat anchors and how they secure seagoing vessels.  With sails down or engine out in rough waters, without the help of an anchor to secure a boat, it will become unstable and drift out of control; sideways to the waves, which can capsize the boat.  Running aground is another possibility unless an anchor is employed. 

Associated with an anchor is the anchor line, which tethers the boat to the anchor.  Care must be taken to maintain this line in superb condition.  It must be strong enough to withstand the ongoing forces that are imposed from gale winds and rolling seas.  Manufacture's ‘integrity of strength’ specifications are most important to preserve, because human lives are dependent upon the line doing the job that it was designed to do.  

The anchor line must be 5 to 7 times longer than the depth of water.  This standard practice provides the length needed to restore stability to the boat in high wave conditions.  So if the water is 10 feet deep, the line must be 50 to 70 feet long.  That could be a very lengthy anchor line should the water be exceptionally deep. 

It stands to reason that something other than a standard anchor had to be put into operation.  Think about it, the deepest part of the ocean is the Mariana Trench, located not very far from Japan in the Western Pacific Ocean.  It has a maximum depth of 10,923 meters (35,840 ft).  A standard anchor system is non applicable where waters are deep.

Researchers came up with the very successful ‘parachute sea anchor’.  Commercial fishermen have been using these anchors for decades.  The anchor line or “anchor rode” is securely connected to the reinforced bow of a vessel and the other end attached to a large, submersible parachute; designed to slow drift and provide stability.  Drift is reduced up to 90% and the bow is kept pointed comfortably into the seas.

I am not a seafaring person, but rather a landlubber instead.  Like many of my acquaintances, we lack the skills and wherewithal needed to sustain a safe and successful voyage on any type of seaworthy vessel.

I am confident in my abilities to work on cars, and do carpentry, plumbing, and other industrial trades, but sailing is not my forte.  It takes a bigger person than I, with much more experience, to battle the powers of Mother Nature. 

Even highly trained skippers, tacticians and crew members have capsized or ran aground in their expensive, competition sailing crafts and racing yachts; having lost their lives when something unexpected went wrong.

Fishermen in Jesus’ day were familiarized with fishing from youth on; making a living selling the catch from each day.  There wasn’t too much they couldn’t handle when storms arose over the waters they fished.  The skills they had mastered through the years were instrumental in keeping their boat from capsizing or running aground when the waters became troubled.

Though experienced, when fishermen lost sails, oars, or a rudder, they were in trouble; adrift in angry waters, which could mean sure disaster unless they had an anchor to tether their vessel to.  Riding out a storm, tied to an anchor, was a last stitch effort for survival.  They were thankful for the anchor and the solid rock that the anchor gripped.

Many people in today’s societies find themselves adrift on the ‘sea of life’ without the means of directing their lives to a safe haven.  They need shelter from the elements that seek to capsize their physical and spiritual vessel, yet they are trying to navigate through unfamiliar waters within their own strength and abilities; lacking the expertise to combat the storms that Satan brings.  Satan’s attempts to sink their ship are unending—such is life without Jesus at the helm.

Nothing is worse than being adrift in an angry world of unbelief and sin.  Sin, when allowed to engulf one’s vessel, brings fear and death.  The only hope for peace and calmness is in the forgiving power of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  He alone is the rock of our salvation.  We are secure in Him.  In Jesus there is safety from the influences of godless sinners and the storms that Satan sends our way.

There is a hymn called, “The Solid Rock,” lyrics and music by Ruth C. Jones; I used to sing it in church all the time.  Three verses, but the refrain goes like this: 

This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One

This Rock is Jesus, the only One

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

The rudder of our faith is the Holy Bible—God’s Word.  It provides the wherewithal to keep ourselves afloat in perilous times by giving direction and lighting our way.  Bible truths are the oars and sails that give assurance when strength is needed to combat the storms that Satan creates.  The ‘anchor rode’ is the Holy Spirit, who keeps us tethered to Jesus, our Rock.  We must take care to preserve a good connection with Him; keeping our relationship strong.

(Psalm 119:105), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

When storms surround us; trying to capsize our life; and we don’t know which way to go; as long as we are tethered to the unmovable Rock—Jesus, He will hold us fast and secure; keeping us safe from all alarm.

(Psalm 62:2), “He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.”

If you are looking for the cove of peace, Jesus is the lighthouse that directs you safely home.  No longer need you drift without direction in the blackness of uncertainties.  Jesus is the light of hope in this world of darkness when everything else fails.  You can rely upon His mercy and grace to see you through safely.

Written by,

Papa Boyd