DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- DRIFTING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS DRIFTING

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?" (Hebrews 2:1-3).

During the depression, there were people called drifters. They had no particular destination. They just went wherever the train took them. They might have stayed in a town for awhile, but soon they were on the road again, looking for something else that suited their fancy. They never really settle down to living life. We all know people who drift through life. They go with the flow – wherever the wind or the current of the culture takes them. They seem to have no goals, no purpose, no aim in life. They sing the Doris Day song from the film, "The Man Who Knew Too Much" – Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be.

It happens in the spiritual also. There are Christians who drift through their Christian life. They have no spiritual goals of getting to know God better, of growing in their Christian life, of serving the Lord, or of having a settled and secure doctrine of what they believe. They drift from one teaching to another without ever becoming settled in their faith.

Later in this book of Hebrews, the writer says, "Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them" (Hebrews 13:9). And the Apostle Paul warns against being "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14).

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The of Hebrews writer stressed the importance of not drifting. He says to take earnest heed. It is more than just acknowledging the need to heed. It is taking action because it is so important. "Earnest" is "superabundance" or exceeding. To "heed" is to pay attention to, to be cautious about, to beware of, especially in regard to our Christian faith. The NIV renders this: "Pay the most careful attention to." In other words, take seriously the possibility of drifting.

In verse 3, the writer used the word "neglect." Drifting is usually a result of neglecting to pay attention to our situation. It is so easy to drift because it takes no effort. It takes intentional purpose to keep from drifting, especially when the going is easy. We neglect prayer, Bible study, and church attendance because life is comfortable, and we drift. But then the storms come, and we realize the need to get serious about God. It becomes especially dangerous if our faith has not been settled in God.

God warns us to pay attention, to not drift nor be negligent about our great salvation, but to be aware and intentional about our Christian life. God says, "Take heed!"

Love, Dad