pramsay posted on May 13, 2008 16:55
856 views
Slip Slidin' Away
What was Paul Simon referring to when he penned his lyrics – “Slip slidin away, Slip slidin away, You know the nearer your destination, The more you’re slip slidin away?” Did he mean the closer you are to having something, the greater the disappointment will be as it eludes your reach and grasp? Just when you think you’ve got certainty, you’re crushed by the inevitability of seeing it drift away from you – or you from it? Setbacks prevent you from reaching your destination. Your goal fades – like seeing the coastline of your destination grow smaller and fainter as the headwinds gradually push you further away.
Christians can feel that way sometimes too. Some worry they may lose their salvation just when they need it most. Others continually fret about whether they’re safe or not. Will they in fact survive the storm or somehow break loose and drift away into spiritual oblivion or eternal damnation?
Now we have this hope
as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul
it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it--a hope
that reaches farther and enters into the very certainty of the Presence within the veil,
Where Jesus has entered in for us in advance…
Hebrews 6:19-20 (Amplified)
The Hebrew Epistle was written to those who were beginning to wonder if they were safe. Was what they had or who they had the real thing – the right thing? After all, what did they have to show for it? With the old religion, they at least had things they could see with their own two eyes and touch too – even hear with their ears. But this new ‘christian’ thing was lacking in concrete, touchable and tangible things. Was it wishy-washy and flimsy? Could they really feel secure and what was their security based upon?
When the winds are howling and the ship is tossed on the waves of the ocean with a rocky shoal in the distance, and the anchor is dropped what happens? That massive piece of rugged iron once resting on the bow of the ship disappears into the billowy waves of the ocean and sinks to the bottom. It might look like it’s gone and no longer useful because it has disappeared from view. But in reality its new location provides the very assurance of safety the mariners need.
Our spiritual ‘hope’ anchor does not rest in the depths of the sea – it is securely fastened in the heights of Heaven – inside, not outside its gates; in the inner sanctuary where our Rock now is. Unseen to natural eyes but not to the eye of faith!
I am not anchored to my feelings or my faith. My soul is safe and secure, anchored to the Rock Christ Jesus. The old cables of faith may strain, shudder and shake in the storms of life – but thank God I am anchored eternally to my immoveable Rock – Christ. I can’t slip and slide away from Christ and end up lost in Hell.
Can you think of anything today for which you can be thankful? Anchored firmly to the Rock Christ Jesus!
I know the music on the link below is very basic but take two minutes and get your day off to a good start by singing along.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/e/h/wehavean.htm
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay
peter@heaven4sure.com