Avoiding the Drift
Life has a tendency to create drift. We have probably all experienced this reality at one level or another. We wake up one day realizing there is a distance between where we wanted to be and where we currently find ourselves. This can show up in our relationships, achievements, goals, marriages and in our growth as followers of Jesus. No one hopes for "drift" - it often just seems to "happen".And that is the point...Drifting requires no action and no effort.When I was young I remember someone once saying, "Any dead fish can drift downstream." To be honest, I had no clue at that moment how that was supposed to tie into my life, or create any sense of motivation within me. It wasn't until later that I got the point. It doesn't take effort to drift.I love this prayer in Psalm 141:3-4 [quote align="center" color="#999999"]Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.[/quote]It is vital that we remember the tendency toward drift that effects nearly every area of our lives. Our growth, our health, our friendships and relationships, our accomplishments. Drift can be one of those things that "just happens". That is where intentionality comes in.As a Jesus person, here are two things that I must keep in mind as I seek to avoid the drift in my own life.
Jesus is our Anchor.
In avoiding the drift in my life, the key I must remember is the consistency of Jesus. Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that Jesus Himself and our hope in Him is an ANCHOR for our soul. Anchors bring stability when everything else is unstable. The key to avoiding the drift isn't for you to try to become your own anchor. Consider the prayer from Psalms - "Don't let me drift...". It is a call to help from the One who is eternally faithful and constant to strengthen and help His people.
Work is required.
I have to remember that the life of a Jesus person is always about RESPONSE to what Jesus has accomplished. We can not work FOR our salvation, but we are called to work OUT our salvation (see Philippians 2:12-13 and this post). Jesus is our strength and our motivation to avoid the drift. We must be willing to make the investments, effort and action. Not too long ago I heard someone say, "Grace isn't opposed to WORKING, it is opposed to EARNING." We must remember that everyone ends up somewhere, but few end up somewhere on purpose.As you think about your life and the season in front of you, where do you sense the drift? What are the adjustments that you need to make to get to where you know you need to be? I'd love to hear from you! What are some of the ways that you have put into action in your life to avoid "the drift"? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.