DRIFTING AWAY IS EASY TO DO
Some mornings, I slowly open my eyes and say a prayer of thanksgiving. The sun hasn’t risen yet, so I stay snuggled in bed for a while and count my blessings. I feel present, I feel God’s presence, and I feel connected. These are my favorite mornings, and I wish that every day started like this, but they don’t.
Other mornings, as I wake up, I hear the phone vibrate. As I slowly adjust my eyes to the darkness, I pick up the phone to find that problems have already started. I haven’t even got the sleep out of my eyes, but I am already being called to get to work. Some issues are easily fixed so that I can drift off back to sleep. Other issues require me to get fully awake and head to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Sometimes, these problems require me to call technical support and be on the phone for hours.
Once all of the “fires” have been put out, and things are back running smoothly, you would think that I would feel a sense of accomplishment, but I don’t. You would think that I could start my morning over again and count my blessings. But, for some reason, I have already started down a different path, and I can’t find my way back. This path is called busyness, and I’ve flipped the switch from God to work. God gave me this job, and He knew how time-consuming it would be, so surely He would understand when the “job” called me away from Him.
Even if God does understand, I don’t. I hate feeling like I let anything take me away from His presence, but I can’t seem to stop myself from drifting away once I know there is a problem.
Drifting in itself is a problem. If you are driving down the interstate and take your eyes off the road, you might start drifting into the other lane. Drifting into oncoming traffic could be deadly for you and the other driver in that lane. If you are at the beach, and you decide to go for a swim, you have to be careful that you don’t start to drift out to sea. Drifting is dangerous, and it happens so gradually that it is hard to catch when it is happening.
How many of you remember the song by Dobie Gray; Drift Away?
Day after day I’m more confused
Yet I look for the light through the pouring rain
You know that’s a game that I hate to lose
And I’m feelin’ the strain
Ain’t it a shame
Beginning to think that I’m wastin’ time
I don’t understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
And I’m countin’ on you
To carry me through
Hebrews 2:1
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.Â
The Lord knew that drifting away would be an issue for us. In this verse, He shows us the steps for staying anchored. Pay The Most Careful Attention! Drifting is not a violent move; it is slow and steady, and it gradually eats away until you don’t realize where you are. Think of yourself as a ship out at sea, and you have lowered your anchor to stay connected to the Lord. However, storms start to blow into your life, the waters begin to swell with worries and fear, and your anchor starts to rise from the bottom, which was holding it in place. Slowly, and inch by inch, you are dragged from your anchored position to a place you never wanted to go.
The second part of that verse says, “to what we have heard.” Just because we have drifted doesn’t mean that we have forgotten everything that we have heard and read about Jesus. Plus, we have an Advocate that walks with us daily in the Holy Spirit. If you call on Him, He will remind you of the Lord’s words.
John 14:26
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
I might be confused, I might be wasting time, and the world might be unkind. But, I’m counting on the Lord to carry me through. To keep technical issues from steering me off track, I’m going to place my phone across the room and make it a rule that I can’t go to it until I’ve started my morning with the Lord. He is my anchor, and I want to stay right where I am…in His presence.
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Needed to be reminded of this today. Thanks. I am going to put my phone up right now.
SO, SO GOOD!
So true. Not realizing you’ve drifted until it’s too late is devastating. We’re all one step away. Thankful for His grace!
SO good, Tania. Thank you for reminding me of this!
So sorry for your loss, Monika. Praying for you.
Thank you for that reminder.
Well said Tania. We all need to start mornings in HIS presence. I’m saving your post so I can refer back to it if I start drifting. Thanks for the reminder.
Amen! Great idea connecting with Him first!
Well said. I loved and needed this. Thank you
Spot on! Now… if only we all listen and learn.
I really enjoy your Sunday devotions!
I needed this today – Thanks!
Thank you! Hope you have a blessed day and week.
Hi Tania, it’s been quite a long time since I’ve responded but this message spurred me to contact you again. At one time I said our husbands were similar and I think their birthdays were really close, 3/16/63. Really similar personalities. My husband, Marvin, passed away this past September from covid. I had it too but didn’t have the additional health issues he had. With the help of my in-laws and friends and neighbors, I’ve continued running the business but have come to the decision to either sell it or dissolve it. I too wake up either thankful or grateful, but not very often these last few months. But before his passing, much more so. Now I wake up with the anxiousness of knowing I have so much work ahead I don’t even think about connecting with God first, but I really hope to get back to that point. I still pray, every day, but life is a struggle in so many ways. Considering everything though, I have been so blessed by my friends and family and neighbors, that I know I will get back to being thankful again someday. I look forward to that and to not being so incredibly busy. Years ago mentors of ours had a plaque in their livingroom that said “Business is a Sin” and I eventually grew to learn what that meant. Sorry for the book but something compelled me to respond today. Have a blessed day!
One of your best Sunday posts and oh so important! Thank you!
Thank you!
What a thoughtful post. I can identify with it for sure. One thing I’m learning is that you no sooner solve a problem, get ready to relax, and along comes two more that need immediate attention.
But then I remember that somehow I get through them all and I’m still sane so we can handle the new ones. With Gods help. He’s the Captain. The anchor still holds.
I enjoy your posts every day, but Sundays are outstanding! I think you could be a preacher! Your way of explaining things is excellent
What a great message. I love your Sunday posts and look forward to reading them. I’ve said before that I’ve used your posts if I’m teaching Sunday School. You’re a wonderful writer.
Thank you for the reminder and your thoughts. Very easy to drift in this pandemic life. I will keep your encouragement in my mind.
These are my favorite posts of the week. Thanks
Thanks for this post!! It is true what you have written!!!
Blessings to you!! Enjoy the Super Bowl withJoe (that’s if you are watching it and /or your having a party)!!!! I might watch it with my husband and I will for sure watch the half time show!!!
Amen!
Thank you may you have a blessed week.
Thank you Tania for the encouragement and reminder. It sure hit home this week. God Bless.
Thank you for these thoughts
Wow, Tania. You nailed it for me this morning. I have taken on a couple of volunteer jobs that are consuming my life. I am going to print out this morning’s message and place it where I can see it everyday. I love the idea of putting your phone away from the nightstand. So simple, so hard to do! Blessings to you and for your blog. Your Sunday message is always wonderful .
Tania,
I started doing a Bible reading plan in January, and am enjoying the quiet time of accountability and the structured reading. However, the last three days I have allowed the busyness of life to be an excuse to get off track and jump into the day without that quiet time, so your post was a timely nudge/reminder to take time to enjoy His word and His presence. Thank you and God bless!
Great thoughts for today. We should all heed.
I sure needed this today! Appreciate you helping me to stay focused and not to be too busy for prayer🙏🏻
Wow, what a great message! Thank God and thank you! đź’Ą
you are such an encouragement. I love that you are open and honest with your readers. I wish I could pop by and have a cup of coffee with you!
Tania, enjoyed this post this morning. Needed that reminder this morning. Thank you for feeding me both mentally but spiritually too.
Kelli, I’m glad this message was helpful.
I enjoy reading your daily posts, but I truly love your Sunday blogs. Thank you for sharing from your heart, Tania. What you’re doing makes a difference because of your authenticity and willingness to be transparent. Many thanks to you!
The Sunday posts are near and dear to me also. I try to share what I am working through, and I hope it helps others also.
Good morning Tania-
Beautiful & wise words given to you by the Holy Spirit & shared with all of us. Thank you Lord!
Thanks, Holly! It is amazing to watch the Holy Spirit at work.
Tania, Your Sunday posts always seem like they are speaking directly to me! God is really working through you to impact your readers for His kingdom. Thanking God for your blog this morning!
Beth, the Holy Spirit speaks through all kinds of situations, and I’m honored to be one of them.
Excellent word this morning. It is very easy to slip away due to busyness….and other things.
I’ve caught myself slipping many times.
Thank you, Tania. Just the lift I needed today.
It was a message that I needed too, Mary.
Thank you❣️
I’m glad you enjoyed this message.