Anthony Robinson: Drift
"Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it." - Hebrews 2: 1
"Drift" defined: "to be carried slowly by a current of air or water," or "(of snow or leaves) to be blown into heaps by the wind."
Drifting down a river on a hot July day is a pretty great thing to do. But drifting isn't always cool.
While not paying attention, we drift into being a church that is going through the motions, where nothing much seems to be at stake, not really.
While not paying attention, our politics drift toward demagoguery, mistaking the comforting (and oft-repeated) lie for truth or finding scapegoats to blame for our problems.
While not paying attention, I drift back into deadly habits, eating too much, drinking too much, complaining too much, paying attention to everyone's stuff but my own. And I fail to do the things that make for health and peace.
Drifting down a lazy river can be a nice thing on a summer's day. And drifting can be how everything goes slowly, steadily downstream until suddenly you notice the current has quickened as you rush toward an impassable logjam and disaster just ahead. And by then it is too late.
"Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard . . ." What core truth do you need to keep at the center of your attention today?
Here's one for me: because God has created this world and Christ has entered fully into this life, our lives and what we do matters. They make a difference. You make a difference. Drift happens when we think nothing much matters. That's a lie. What you do, what you say, matters.
Prayer
It may not be the one big decision, Holy One, but the many little ones that cause us to drift away from you. Draw us in, tether us with your love. Amen.