The Anchor Holds 
By Mike Rule

"¹⁹This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…" (Hebrews 6:19a)

Having Jesus as our anchor is such a blessing. No matter what we are facing we can have confidence that He keeps us held fast and sure. Christian songwriter Ray Boltz sings a song that says even though our ship has been battered and the sails are torn, the anchor holds, in spite of the storm. Have you ever thought about what is holding you?

There were many years on my journey with Jesus that I would cling desperately to Jesus with one arm while holding tightly to all my theology, doctrine, and beliefs in the other. I knew if I did not cling to Jesus I was doomed for failure. The longer I would cling to Him, the more desperate I became. The pain became unbearable at times and I would muster all my strength to hold fast to the Source of my hope. One day I knew I could not keep hanging on to two things, and would have to make a choice between holding onto my theology, doctrine, and beliefs, or holding onto Jesus. It was a desperate moment for me. With fear and trembling I finally let go of the pile of beliefs and clung to my Savior. It was such a tremendous relief for me.

Over time, I began to experience discomfort as I clung to my Savior. My arms ached once again and I was frightened because I knew I could not hold on much longer. I prayed desperately for strength, and none was forth coming. I distinctly remember the day that I was reading my morning devotional and scripture. I don't remember the passage, but I know it was the words of Jesus Himself in the Gospels that finally brought me to the breaking point. It came home to me with terrifying clarity that the Christian life is not a hard life to live; it is absolutely impossible. Jesus was continually saying if all we do is not done with a 100% pure heart, it is as filthy rags to God. He is much more interested in the why of our behavior that the behavior itself.

At that moment one thing became startlingly apparent to me: I cannot live the Christian life. I remember praying, "God, is this some kind of cruel joke? No matter how hard I try, I can't make myself be pure. God, if You want my life to look like Your word says it should, You are going to have to do it. I quit! I don't even know if it is possible, but all I desire is to be intimate with You. All I want is to know You… You are going to have to do the rest." At that moment -- with absolute terror -- I stopped clinging to Jesus and let go. It was the most terrifying moment of my life because I felt myself falling at an alarming rate. I fell three inches into His loving arms, and He took hold of me and then I had peace!

Think about an anchor. What is its job? Where is it created to function? Jesus is our anchor and is designed to keep us and hold us secure, while providing us the freedom we need to go through life's calm seas and its storms. If we are clinging to the anchor, it is because we are not living in faith, but in fear. Fear says, "If I do not cling to Jesus I am doomed," while faith says, "If Jesus does not have hold of me I am doomed." Essentially we really believe it is up to us to keep us and the thoughts of letting go are terrifying. Yes, I admit there are always those who take a hack saw and try to cut the chain because they really do not want to be held fast, but let's be real; Your hearts desire is to walk with Jesus, to know Him and experience His light, His life, His joy and His peace. Are you willing to set aside your false beliefs that you have to cling to Jesus? Are you willing to walk in the terror of faith trusting God for each moment of your life? Proverbs 1:7 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…" Likewise, Matthew 10:28 says, ²⁸"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

"²⁴ Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen." (Jude 24)