Drifting. How easy it is to drift. A continuous slow movement from one place to another. It is often in such slight increments that it happens unaware.
I recall reading Katie Davis Majors book "Safe All Along", which begins with a camping trip. She and some of her family were swimming and kayaking in the Nile River. Katie writes, "The thing about rivers is that you can't possibly tell how strong the current is until you're in it." Warning signs were posted along the banks of the river, but her family were strong swimmers, and up for an adventure. Rivers, she says, are also not predictable, and around the bend of the bank, the water shifted. Gentle drifting became crashing waves. Katie and one of her daughters had drifted into a racing current that carried them away. Thankfully their story ends well, but not all drifting has a positive outcome.
Marshall Segal writes, "The danger of drifting, spiritual or otherwise, is in just how subtle and comfortable drifting can feel. Often we don't even notice it's happening at all." It's the thousand little, sometimes unintentional steps, that become bigger over time. Distractions. Busyness. The small glance. Only a few seconds on the website. Drifting always begins in our hearts.
We can only address a drift if we acknowledge that our life is deviating from what God desires. Without this awareness and acceptance, managing drifting becomes a challenge. Faking piety, (which becomes needed to keep living the charade), is exhausting and leads to spiritual apathy.
Regardless of how long we have walked with the Lord, none of us are immune to drifting. It can happen so casually. "The currents of the still-sinful soul, weathered by constant waves of temptation, still pull us out to sea." And as Katie wrote above, the strength of any current can be unknown until we are in it.
When we drift, we have lost focus on who Jesus is. Other things would stop being an attraction to us if our eyes were fixed on Christ. Instead of drifting, the Lord is so worthy of our dwelling. Safety comes through abiding in Him. "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." Psalm 37:3. When our hearts are drifting instead of dwelling, we are constantly unsettled. We are always looking to the next thing, but God invites us to dwell in the land.
When we dwell with God moment by moment our swirling thoughts are captured by God's goodness, faithfulness and provision. Protection from drifting involves choosing to be present with the Lord and practicing His presence.
Here are some warning signs of a heart drifting from the Lord. Examine yourself and make sure you are not drifting in your relationship with God: little or no time reading His Word; neglecting to pray; unaffected by the Good News of the gospel message; distancing yourself from other believers; not relying on the power of the Holy Spirit; increasingly compromising your commitment; unrepentant; refusing to trust God; and excusing sin. If any of these describe you, recognize the drift, repent, return and renew your relationship with the Lord, choosing instead to dwell with Him.
Book: "Safe All Along" - Katie Davis Majors; Multnomah; copyright 2023
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