Anchor Points

I’ve been thinking about my own personal values and how to be consistent in applying them to all areas of my life. I think the key is to identify “anchor points” in our lives. Unchanging touchstones that are consistent and solid. Truths that cannot change or people in whom truth has been demonstrated to be consistent.

One dictionary definition of “anchor” is: “a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay”. Another definition: “To fix or fasten; affix firmly”. Another is: “rigid point of support, as for securing a rope”.

Anchoring our lives to solid truths allows us to be consistent in our daily walks. To always be the same no matter how the winds of life are blowing. Our walks become steady as a result of the habit of checking our “anchor points”. If we allow the winds of life to control us we will be blown every which way and a consistent walk toward any destination will be impossible. We not only need our anchor points, but we need to always be facing the winds. With good “anchor points” we are able to identify where the destructive winds are coming from and we can face these winds with the confidence that we can stand strong no matter what comes our way.

But with good solid “anchor points” we can not only stand strong but we can learn to dance in the face of any storm.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

The following are points of faith in the God of the Bible which and the most consistent “anchor points” in my life.

1. God is in control

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
 
2. Life is not about us – it’s all about Christ

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20

 

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; Philippians 1:20-23

3. God has promised to give us abundant life on earth and in heaven through faith in Christ.

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. Matthew 25:34

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1Cor 2:9

4. We have joy and peace in the Holy Spirit
“Try to realize that the Holy Spirit will give this joy and peace of Christ in our hearts. To many the thought of the Holy Spirit is a matter of grief and self-reproach, of desire and disappointment, of something too high and holy for them. What a foolish thought that the great gift of the Father, meant to keep us in the joy and peace of Christ, should be a matter of self-reproach and care!” Quoted from “God’s Best Secrets” by Andrew Murray
    
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.    1 Peter 1:8  

5. God gives us the grace to live abundantly.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:5-9

6. God allows us personal access to Him through prayer.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 ESV


7. God will persevere with us to the end.

 “Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and who are effectually called by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere unto the end and be eternally saved.” Westminster Confession - Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints by Westminster Assembly

And I shall give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. And no one is able to snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

 

Irish Thoughts from John O'Donohue

I’ve spent much of my free time this week reading and listening to a man named John O’Donohue. He was an Irish Catholic priest for 19 years before leaving the church to study early church fathers and Celtic wisdom to develop a more real relationship with God and with life itself.

For a New Beginning

Awaken your spirit to adventure.
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

John O’Donohue, To Bless This Space Between Us

“Although you should not erase your responsibility for the past, when you make your past your jailer, you destroy your future. It is such a great moment of liberation when you learn to forgive yourself, let the burden go, and walk out into a new path of promise and possibility.” J. O’Donohue, Eternal Echoes.



 "Every day of your life joy is waiting for you, hidden at the heart of the significant things which happen to you or secretly around the corner of quieter things. If your heart loves delight, you will always be able to discover the quiet joy that awaits to shine forth in many situations. Prayer should help us develop the habit of delight. We weight the notion of prayer with burdens of duty, holiness and the struggle for perfection. Prayer should have the freedom of delight. It should arise from and bring us to humour, laughter, and joy. Religion often suffers from a great amnesia; it constantly insists on the seriousness of God and forgets the magic of the divine glory. Prayer should be the wild dance of the heart, too. In the silence of our prayer we should be able to sense the roguish smile of a joyful god who, despite all the chaos and imperfection, ultimately shelters everything." Eternal Echoes - John O'Donohue

While I am not exactly sure what John O’Donohue’s thoughts are I am drawn to the following verses written by a young King David as he was running for his life from his enemies.

" He also brought me forth into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me. 2 Samuel 22:20

“God is my strength and power; He maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hind’s feet and setteth me upon my high places.” 2 Samuel 22:33,34

As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:2

They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. Psalm 36:8

 

Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Psalm 37:23

A Blessing

May the light of your soul guide you
May the light of your soul bless the work you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in the bland absences.
May the day never burden.
May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you.

John O'Donohue, Anam Cara

I find these thoughts refreshing in a world where work is all too often reduced to mere functions designed to produce adequate products as efficiently as possible with many compromises to quality. No wonder the younger people in our American workforce only want to give what is required rather than the best they can do. The idea that what we do reflects on our relationship to our Creator and on our own souls is perhaps something we all need to think long and hard about.


And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. I Thessalonians 2:11, 12


© John O’Donohue. All rights reserved  For more information and further reading visit www.johnodonohue.com