Have you ever wondered how dangerous and easy it is to drift?

When I was in Florida years ago some folks took me to the beach but cautioned me to always keep a focal point on the beach in sight because there were currents I might not notice that could take me into dangerous waters.  I didn’t heed their warning  and got in trouble.  I was taking it easy on an air matress – almost sleeping – and got caught in a current that took me out much futher than I wanted to be.   (Ok – I know this will really show my age, but this was right after I had been to see the premier of the movie JAWS – so drifting out into the ocean was a even more frightening at this time!)  I finally realized what was happening and paddled furiously to get back to the safety of the beach.  What shocked me was how subtle the drift was; gradually and in a short time, I’d drifted to a place I really didn’t want to be.  

Drifting is so subtle and dangerous.

That’s why we need to guard against it in our marriage – as parents –  in our relationship with God – in our friendships – even in our purpose as a church.

I/we need a focal point – a fixed point of safety/security that doesn’t change – so I’m/we’re protected from the drift.  I read Hebrews 2:1 yesterday which says – “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. ”    We must pay closer attention to THE WORD OF GOD – lest we drift away from it.   God’s Word is the one true focal point that can keep us from drifting.

I see quite a few people who claim to be Christ Followers trying to rewrite what Jesus said to fit their lifestyle.   The underlying problem with this is they are removing the focal point (God’s Word) and replacing it with their own ideas.  Don’t you think this means they’ve already been deceived by the drift? 

It’s more dangerous than we imagine.  Believers who drift toward the culture instead of attracting the culture to Christ.  Churches who opt for comfort instead of courage.  Christian marriages that fail because spouses drift from the truth of God’s Word and choose their own way instead of choosing to mutually submit to one another in an environment of love and respect.    Believers who drift into sin that destroys them and their relationships because “it’s no big deal.” 

I’m even scared at times that my relationship with God isn’t where it needs to be because in my vocation it’s easy to drift from the relationship because I’m so busy doing things “for God”.

I don’t know if you ever get deceived by the drift, but in my experience – drifting is dangerous.