“So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”
Hebrews 2:1 (NLT)
Once, while boogie boarding with my family, I began to notice that our beach towels, stretched out on the sand, were getting farther and farther away. We had been relaxing in the water and, without realizing it, found ourselves hundreds of feet from where we started.
I repeatedly warned my children to pay close attention because I knew they could unintentionally drift from the safe ground of our site. Had I not had a reference point (our beach towels), I would not have realized how far off we had traveled.
Surfers often encounter a similar phenomenon when they get caught up in what’s called a riptide. This tide can take them out into deeper and rougher waters that are unsafe. Once caught up in the riptide, inexperienced surfers often try to paddle against the tide, only to find themselves fighting a battle they cannot overcome. Alone and far from shore, they are in legitimate danger.
Sometimes we find ourselves “surfing through life,” having lots of fun, yet totally unaware that we are drifting into deep and dangerous situations.
Surfers, when caught in a riptide, must change direction immediately and focus their energy into paddling diagonally toward shore. It’s the same for us. During times of spiritual danger, we must course correct.
Truth is always our reference point.
Once we realize we’re adrift, we must put all our energy into moving back toward truth. Getting back to the safety of God’s Word is where we find our security and true direction. In the Bible, Jesus repeatedly stressed the importance of paying close attention to the truth.
The more we aim to put His words into practice, the more we find a level of safety and stability in our lives. When we seek to understand and believe the truth, Scripture becomes a reference point by which we can gauge our proximity to Jesus.
Often, we don’t realize we’re drifting. That’s why we need other people in our lives who are willing to point the danger we are in out to us. Then, we must take immediate action and steadily realign our lives with the truth of God’s Word.
Don’t let yourself get caught in a riptide. Seek to know God’s Word, and let His truth be a compass for your life.
Reflect and Respond:
- Are you “drifting” from the truth? If so, ask the Lord to show you practical ways to realign your life with His Word.
- Have you ever had a friend point out a time when you were “drifting” from God? Share your experience with the myKLOVE community.
