Positioned in Him

​​In the very first blog I wrote, I talked about how we are anchored in Hope. The scripture was from Hebrews 6:19. It is really important that each of us know that Christ is our anchor, as well as our invitation to enter the presence of God. My hope for you is not to simply get you to behave or be better. I am honestly not concerned with how much you have changed, or even how much I have taught you. I am absolutely concerned with whether or not you are building your relationship with God, and allowing Him to shift things in your life. In that first blog, written over a year ago, I encouraged all of us to allow Jesus to teach new things. I encouraged us to grow closer to Him, and to allow Him to set the anchor in our souls so that we would all then get out of the boat and enjoy life outside of it. We only set an anchor when it’s time to get out of the boat and explore.
If you have been reading since the beginning of this blog, then you know that I love the ocean. It is my absolute favorite place to be. I dream about swimming, snorkeling, kite surfing, and sailing around the world. Just let me island hop myself across the ocean for the rest of my life. That is my dream. In that first blog, I posed a question: Why do we ever set the anchor? We set it to get out of the boat, whether that is walking on a beautiful beach, exploring an island, docking for supplies, or diving into the ocean. Jesus is the anchor of our soul, so that we can get out and explore.
Hebrews 6:19 says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”
It isn’t enough though to agree that Jesus is our anchor (He is our hope, our hope is our anchor), we have to realize that agreeing Jesus is our anchor is only the first part of the verse… the second part is equally important: Our hope enters the inner sanctuary. So what does that mean? In simple terms, the inner sanctuary is where the Presence of God is- not in theory, but in true, manifesting reality. I have seen way to many people who seem to stumble into the inner sanctuary, almost on accident. They don’t understand how easy it is to enter in. I’m not talking about simply praising or giving thanks- neither of those are the inner sanctuary. We enter the gate with thanksgiving, we enter the courts with praise, but we enter the inner sanctuary by waiting.
Most importantly, we need to learn how to wait, and what wait means. Waiting doesn’t mean sitting still, or doing nothing. Jesus clarified a little more by using the word “tarry.” We are supposed to wait in hope. To those on the outside, they would see our waiting as a waste of time, but to us waiting is actually a very active position.
Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret…”
Isaiah 30:15 says, “…In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…”
Isaiah 40:31 says, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…”
With all of this in mind, I want to recall you to last week’s blog. In it, I wrote about the struggle we have with our past, and how God has given us direction on how to get free. He told us to forget our past, and to instead remember His past. God has redeemed our past, and we should not remember it any longer (2 Corinthians 5:17). Last week, I wrote that when I learned that Jesus came to erase my past and start a new future with me, I immediately found myself free. It simply took a revelation of truth to set my mind free from all things that kept it bound up. I used to battle things like ADHD and Bi-Polar Disorder, as well as depression. On April 7, I will celebrate 7 years of being free from all of it. I will celebrate 7 years of constant peace, without a single day that I would consider bad. I don’t clinch my teeth and try to smile so that no one can see how I really feel. I am truly at peace, and it’s been constant for 7 years. My wife will tell you that I actually enjoy when people get in my face and yell and scream, because it reminds me of who I used to be and how far Jesus has taken me.
How has Jesus taken me so far? In short, because I realized He had anchored my boat, and invited me to get out and explore with Him. Every day I invite Jesus to take my hand and lead me further, deeper. Jesus has taken me out into deep waters. For some of you, He has taken you out into really deep water, and for some of you it has only been a little while, or maybe even today could be your first day. Wherever you are, I hope you realize that right now, without you even realizing it, Jesus has already anchored your soul, and He is holding your hand saying, “Let’s go. I want to show you something.” Let the peace of God fill your heart and mind. In the quietness of your soul you will find rest, strength, and Joy. Joy will overflow.
So let's stop with all the news and distractions that keep us from the Presence of God. Stop worrying about tomorrow. Realize Jesus is with you right now saying, “I love you. Come with me…” And rest in him. You are positioned in Him, and He is ready, waiting to show you His wonders. Bless you…

---