Water currents are powerful things. They can be harnessed to create electricity, disperse pollution, and create efficiency (or inefficiency) of travel for humans, watercraft, marine life, etc. An example of this natural power is occasionally duplicated by man. We create currents in things from water parks to swimming pools to whirlpool tubs to, yes, even toilets.
A fun example is when you put way more people in a small pool than there should be. You have them stand a few people abreast around the outside circumference of the pool. They all begin walking as they face the same direction. At first, it is slow-going. Once a current of water begins to form, they pick up speed. In a short time, it takes almost no effort to run. Eventually, the current is so strong that a whirlpool forms with a funnel in the center. When someone yells “UP!” everyone picks up their feet and the force of the water carries everyone around in circles for two to three laps without anyone touching the ground. Trying to swim against the current is almost impossible.
This human whirlpool had me thinking about cultural trends. They start with a few people doing something. Others pick up on it and join in. Eventually, with enough people headed in the same direction, a current is formed. Some people are sucked in, some willingly jump in, and before you know it, you too are carried so strongly by the current, even if you want to you cannot get out. The movement is so strong that you are carried further away from your starting point than you ever thought possible, or intended to go. This can be a good thing, or a bad thing.
For Christians, it is easy to get caught in the current of worldly culture that doesn’t follow Christ. Ideas counter to what God asks of us percolate within a friend group or a community that initially seem harmless. Before we know it, those around us, and we ourselves, are participating in and doing things that are so far from God’s standard that we don’t quite know how we got there. We may try to move to the outside, away from the greatest deviation from God’s direction, or try to swim directly against the current, but it can seem hopeless that we will escape.
Hebrews 6:18-20 States that Jesus encourages us to take hold of Him. His unchanging, steadfast strength offers us “hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Peter, a disciple of Jesus, was in a boat during a fierce storm. The disciples were afraid for their lives when they saw Jesus coming towards them walking on the water! Peter asked Jesus if he could get out and come to Him. “’Come’ He said.” Peter came out of the boat and walked on the water! However, when he took his focus off of Jesus, he began to sink and “cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.” (Matthew 14:29-31)
Not only is Jesus our anchor, but He can save us from being swept away from Him. We only need to look to Him and call on Him to be saved.
Jesus offers us the steadfast promise of a life that overflows with joy and peace. The more we trust and obey Him, the more we experience the thrill of His presence. Still waters as well as storms will come, but He will always hold us tight. He says, “When you pass through the waters, I will with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” (Isaiah 43:2)
When the current threatens to pull us away from the Lord, or we find ourselves feeling far from Him, let us call out to Jesus! He is present, and because of His great love for you and me, He will save us with His mighty hand!
