IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Anchor Points for Life.

                        Hurricane season is in full force.  I don’t expect it to affect us much in Kansas!  But I have friends and family in Florida, so I’ll still be alert to the forecast.  A good sailor will tell you, “Don’t tie your boat to the land.  You’ll regret it, if you do.  Your only hope is to anchor deep. Leave some slack in the rope.  And hope for the best!” 

           The Hebrew writer says “we have an anchor of the soul.”  He affirms, “it is sure and steadfast.”  The anchor?  It is none other than Jesus Christ Himself!   He is our hope. He provides safety.  Security.  He is the mooring to which we can hold on when the storms of life assail our souls.

Last Friday’s post was based on some excerpts from Max Lucado’s book “Six Hours One Friday.”  (If you missed it, check it out before you read another word.

Max wrote that in the cross God forever gave us three anchor points on which to fix our lives.  Here are the three with a few thoughts to consider

#1 My Life is Not Futile.  We often wonder if our lives really count.  We ponder.  Why am I here? What am I do be doing?  What can I offer?  Am I making a difference?

For many people today life seems pointless. Empty.  Futile.  Sure, there are some who are prospering.  Living well.  Enjoying the “good life.”  But for many in our world life is a dreary burden.  And even some who are well off, reach a point and ask, “Is this all there is?”  They wonder, “Isn’t life more than just money?  And things? And pleasure?”

And the answer is a resounding, YES!

Jesus is the anchor of your soul.  In a crazy, mixed up, messed up world, Jesus offer purpose.  Direction. Focus.  He is the way.  The life.  The Truth.  (Jn. 14:6).

          #2 My Failures are Not Fatal.  Who hasn’t failed?  I failed my drivers test the first time at 16.   I failed a science course and had to repeat it. I’ve failed my parents.  My wife.  My children.  I’ve had financial failure.  Most of all there have been times that I’ve failed my Lord.

But, I’m not unique.  Everyone has experienced failure. At something.  I’ve had people come into my office carrying the burden of their failure.  Unfaithfulness.  Drunkenness. Immorality. Abuse.

The good news is that our failures are not fatal.  God hasn’t given up on us.  He is willing to forgive. His mercy is universal.  He grace is free for all.  His love is unconditional. His blood will cleanse.

#3 My Death is Not Final.  I’ve conducted many funerals.  They all contain an element of sadness. Sorrow.  Tears.  Some more so than others. And some grieve in the face of a tragic death.  Unexpected.  Unnecessary.  Unprepared for.  Yet, we know, at least intellectually, all of us will one day die.

It seems at times the devil has the upper hand.  Lucado calls him “the bully on the block.”  Indeed he is. Or at least it seems.

But Satan doesn’t have the final word.  Jesus proved that in raising Lazarus.  He says, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, shall live.  And who lives, and believes in me shall never die.”  And he asks us, as he did Martha, the sister of Lazarus, “Do you believe this?”

I do.  Because the cross and the tomb are linked together.  You see on Friday Jesus’ life seemed futile.  His mission failed.  And His crucifixion nailed it shut.  It is over.  Final.

Ah, but Sunday came!  Early in the morning the Son arose!  Triumphant over His foes of futility, failure, and nd death’s finality.

Thank God for Friday. But shout “Hallelujah” for Sunday when Christ arose! And what does it mean?

You are important.

Your life counts.

You will live forever.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman