We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
It sounded like so much fun – a family kayaking adventure in Kauai. The brochure described paddling the calm, idyllic waters of the Hanalei River with occasional sea turtle sightings as we meander our way to a private beach for snorkeling.
My husband, seven-year-old son, and I arrived at the marina excited to embark on our adventure. As the tour guide was giving us the safety instructions, I realized my dilemma:
I can’t swim and I’ve never kayaked before.
With our family of three, we were given a single and a double kayak. The obvious decision was to put our seven-year-old son with my husband, and I would ride alone.
It’s fine, I convinced myself. I’ll be wearing a life jacket. How difficult can it be to paddle a kayak?
As we set out, I quickly realized there was a rhythm in paddling I was not getting. Our guide gave me a few tips at the beginning, but I struggled to keep my kayak facing the direction of the group.
As our group calmly made their way along the scenic river, I was alone, way in the back. Instead of paddling a straight path, I was making giant S’s, clamoring to stay with my family. Our tour guide came back several times to wait for me while letting the others go on ahead. After I caught up a little, he zipped forward to lead the group again.
This embarrassing routine continued all along the river route.
Then I saw it. Panic surged as I observed rougher waters ahead where the river emptied into the ocean. Although it was just a short paddle to a private beach, I was still unable to control the direction of my kayak. I had visions of drifting out to sea.
Sometimes, life feels that way. No matter how hard we try, we can’t seem to make progress. We work harder, but the bills keep climbing. We promise ourselves we’re not going to yell at our kids today, but that strong-willed child has a way of making us want to pull our hair out. We try to eat healthier to finally lose the baby weight, but after a work deadline, we find ourselves sitting in a drive-thru for the second night in a week.
Life can feel like we are just drifting by the waves of our circumstances, overwhelmed and alone.
As I watched my group calmly paddle into the waves making their way to the sandy shores, I thrashed even harder trying to catch up to them.
After what felt like an eternity, I heard a familiar voice, “It’s okay. I’m going to hook your boat to mine.”
It was our sweet tour guide.
I was so relieved I didn’t have to paddle anymore. Even as we ventured into the waves, I felt safe and secure because my kayak was firmly anchored to his.
The storms of life can be overpowering if our souls are not securely anchored. We can strive to paddle the course of our lives on our own effort, or we can allow Jesus to be the anchor of our souls. When we are not anchored to Jesus, we will find ourselves drifting in a sea of doubt, a sea of unforgiveness, a sea of bitterness, and we will become so weary.
Anchored to His truth, He makes my path straight.
Anchored to His promises, I am firm and secure, even in rough waters.
Anchored to Jesus, I will not drown in despair or distress.
I hold on to His hope for His anchor is my assurance.
[bctt tweet=”We can strive to paddle the course of our lives on our own effort, or we can allow Jesus to be the anchor of our souls. -@MeiLingAu:” username=”incourage”]
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Mei,
What a perfect analogy and so well illustrated! I’ve been in your kayak – furiously paddling and going in circles. Not sure why I repeat the same mistake over and over again? I continue paddling in my own self-sufficiency until I’m exhausted and then I call out to God for a tow. In these times, may we all be quick to anchor our kayak to God’s and let Him guide us securely in His will. Great post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you, Bev. I’m so thankful that God is so faithful to always be our anchor. We definitely need to be anchored to His promises in these stressful times. I feel like we are going in circles in our own anxieties right now. Sometimes, God wants us to get to the point where we just desperately cry out to him to be our lifeline. And He is always faithful to come and tow us.
What a beautiful story that reminds me so much of my own path. Thank you for the reminder of where to anchor ourselves.
Thank you, Tara! We are so easy to forget but thankfully, God promises to never leave us or forsake us. Blessings to us!
Thank you Mei! I too still can’t swim! Grew up on the bay and near the ocean! Sadly one scary sinking and I never tried again.. I can float around in the pool with grandkids though 🙂 praise God too to be anchored in Jesus especially during these murky waters this season the world is in..
may revival be our prayer for many people to paddle fast to Jesus and anchor their souls \0/
Blessings to and through you❤️
So glad to meet another non-aquatic sister! 🙂 I grew up near the ocean too and even took swimming lessons – TWICE. Passed both times but never felt comfortable enough to go swimming.
I’m praying with you for revival to break out all over the world! God is moving in amazing ways even as we are stuck in our homes. May God use you to point others to Jesus in astounding ways! Blessings for peace and provision!
Mei, thank you so much for writing this. I have been in similar circumstances but it was horseback riding with my husband and daughter. Your words fit in with the low him of anxiety that permeates our day as we shelter in place. So we can remind ourselves,that we can shelter under God’s outstretched arms and wrap our hearts with his love. Praying you,your family, and all of us stay safe and well. ❤
Oh yes, horseback riding would be one for me too. I went on a mission trip to Haiti a few years ago and we did an excursion to a historic site on top of this mountain. It was only accessible by foot or horseback and the paths were not much wider than the width of a car. On the way down, my horse decided he was going to gallop downhill. It was frightening as I passed others on the way down! Thankfully, I did not fall down or roll down the side of the mountain! 🙂
I had no idea when I wrote this in the fall that these words would be so appropriate for this time. God knew we would need to be reminded to stay anchored to him. Thank you for stopping by and praying for you and your family to stay healthy as well.
Oh wow! My horse was constantly stopping to eat along the mountain ridge and each time his neck and body seemed to bend lower and lower. Thank you and God bless ❤
Some of my most frustrating moments have been spent on the business end of a canoe paddle, so this meditation on “paddling hard and going nowhere” is like an arrow to my heart, Mei!
Thank you, Michelle! It’s so tiring, isn’t it, when we forget that we have an anchor of hope. May He renew our strength and give us peace beyond understanding for the coming days! We need Him more than ever!
What a truly lovely illustration of needing an anchor for our souls. Mei, I truly needed this reflection and reminder this morning. Thank you!
Thank you, Mary! I need to be reminded every day because my natural instinct is to try to solve things on my own instead of taking it to God first. Praying for you and your family to stay well.
Mei,
Thank you so much! Just what we all need a reminder on. Jesus IS our anchor! Nothing more comforting than that!
Thank you, Peggy! Amen and amen!
What a delight to read your words here today, Mei. Your encouragement to stay anchored to the One who never leads us astray is just what I needed this morning.
Thank you, Mary! You are an encouragement to so many! May God use us during this time to draw many people to Him. He is our only assurance during these unstable times. Praying for you and your family to stay healthy!
“It’s okay. I’m going to hook your boat to mine.” Love that thought! Thank you Jesus, that’s exactly what you do for me.
Amen, Gail! Thanks for stopping by! Blessings to you and your family!
Oh, Mei, thank you for this lovely analogy and for those words we long to hear…”It’s okay. I’m going to hook your boat to mine.” My heart breathed a much needed sigh of relief when I read them. I hear Jesus speaking to me through your words, over and over again these days, singing me this sweet refrain. I had to reach out and thank you when I read your bio…I tell all of my students, “I’m a recovering perfectionist…” when giving them permission to make big, bold mistakes in order to grow! So I laughed aloud when I read yours. Kindred spirits…
Thank you for sharing your heart with us this morning and particularly in these days when we must trust Jesus to hook our boats to His. He’s always steering us if only we’ll let Him. Have a beautiful day!
Cynthia, so happy to find a fellow recovering perfectionist. I think many find ourselves as Enneagram 3’s, trying to pretend we are good to the outside world.:) I’m so glad this post spoke to you. Little did I know that it would minister to me as well when I wrote this 7 months ago. But that’s just God’s way, isn’t it? He goes before us and prepares the way for things we will face.
Praying that you are your family will stay healthy during these uncertain times. I know He will never leave us.
Anchored to the only One who can steer us right in this storm — that’s where I want to be. Thank you, Mei, for this beautiful and timely encouragment. (Only God could have known how people would need this today.) Grateful to have your voice on (in)courage today, friend!
Becky, I am honored and privileged to be here! Yes, I am flabbergasted (although I shouldn’t be) how timely these words are. It’s a strange thing to have your own words minister to your heart. But I think you understand that completely! Thank you for leading this community and being an encouraging voice to so many!
That s a real encouraging story. Thank you for giving us more today especially during this difficult time on COVID 19. God bless Mei.
Thank you, Miriam. I wrote this post 7 months ago and it was scheduled by (in)courage to post on March 25th back in early January. I am blown away how God planned it for these turbulent times. He knew we would need encouragement.
Mei, I’m so thankful for knowing your beautiful heart and for hearing your humble and sweet spirit speak to each of us our need for a guide, and anchor, a source for peace in the midst of anxiety. I also think you’re pretty brave (trusting a life jacket when you can’t swim!!)
I love you friend. You are turkey lovely in many ways!
Love you, dear friend! You have been such an encouragement to me!
I had to laugh at your description of kayaking – brought back several memories. We joined a canoe club for my son and on one occasion I capsized my kayak in 4 inches of water! Another time my husband and I were paddling together and he was telling me to paddle towards the side- but somehow never grasped the fact I needed to know WHICH side! However, I did paddle in a ladies race at one stage; I reached the target. and came a happy last! GOD is indeed GOOD! A source for peace in the middle of anxiety. Thank you for this message today – Timely indeed.
Camilla, kayaking seems so easy on TV or watching others do it, doesn’t it? Thank you for sharing your story. I’m glad I am not alone. At least you were brave enough to keep trying and to enter a race is impressive!!! I recognize my limitations. I have not kayaked since that fateful day but at least we can laugh at ourselves, right?
Thank you for stopping by and blessings to you!
The song that comes to my mind is “I know the Master of the Wind (and Waves) I know the storm–He can calm the storm make the sun shine again, I know the Master of the Wind. He knows every storm, wind, rain, clouds that come our way–He is the Master of all of them. We can trust Him completely. Thanks for sharing your story.
Mei,
This world is a scary & tumultuous place. Society tells us to do it on your own. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. We strive hard to achieve goals & stay the course. Then along comes a “bump in the road” or rough, choppy waters. People seem to get a little antsy/anxious. When all else fails we call out to God for help. He comes, anchors us up to Himself & pulls us out of the muck & mire. Our souls should be firmly anchored to Jesus. He will see us through all storms even this viral pandemic. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. God’s got this!! He will see us through the valley of shadow of death. Quit striving & anchor your souls to Christ!
Blessings 🙂