PrintIt's strange how a musical tune can lock itself into one's mind and refuse to be quiet. As if someone has pressed a "repeat button" it just keeps playing itself over and over again - sometimes to the point of frustration. I've been having the same trouble with a word - just one word. And that word is "drift".
My interaction with this word is not to the point of frustration but it is persistent. It just won't go away. "Drift". Not a very pretentious word. It is simple. It requires no effort. It boasts no power. It claims no achievement. It just sits there doing nothing. It seems happy enough to be at the mercy of other influences - like winds and tides. It goes where those influences take it. It doesn't protest or resist.
Somewhere in the back of my mind I recalled a verse from the book of Hebrews that used this word. So, out came the concordance and, sure enough, there it was:
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. (Hebrews 2/1 NLT)
During my interaction with this word I've begun to see that it is also a very dangerous word. It can lull me into thinking that all is well when I may well be drifting into dangerous waters.
But I then I discovered another word in those same verses that ought to set alarm bells ringing.
The message God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience.What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? (Heb 2:1-3 NLT)
Now I've got two words that ought to trouble me if they define or describe any aspect of my Christian life - "drift" and "indifferent". Another verse then jumped at me and further alerted me to this dangerous condition of drifting indifference.
But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. (Col 1:23 NLT)
All this raises for me a very searching question that penetrates to the core of who I am in Christ. "What is the most dangerous threat to my Christian life? Is it persecution or sickness or broken relationships or rejection? Or is it indifference and apathy and drifting away from the call and purposes of God for my life? It's worth noting that when we drift, it seems that we almost always drift away from the desired destination or goal, not towards it. Certainly that seems to be the case when it comes to the Christian journey.
Then I recalled one further reference to this imagery of drifting, also found in the book of Hebrews - 10/38,39. While the word itself is not used, the concept or imagery of drifting permeates the words used.
"For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And a righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away." But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation". (Heb 10:37-39 NLT)
In effect it is saying that God takes no pleasure in those who "take down their sails". Sometimes it feels dangerous to hoist the sails to catch the wind of God's Spirit. It feels safer to "take down the sails" and drift. It may feel safer but it is, in fact, much more dangerous.
As I reflect on the scriptures above, I can't help but note that they are not only warning me of the hazards of drifting but urging me to do all I can to avoid drifting
1.Listen very carefully to the truth we have heard
2.Continue to believe this truth
3.Stand in it firmly How does one fulfil these directives? What did the Biblical writers have in mind when they urged their readers to listen, believe and stand?
I need to come back to these directives in my next log entry.
