“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19a NIV

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 NIV

I love the imagery of an anchored boat as a metaphor for our faith in God, our hope in His promises, and His everlasting, ever-present love.

Let me paint you a word picture. Imagine. There is an old wooden-hulled sailboat lacquered to a golden brown. It rocks gently on the lake’s sun glistened surface as it rises with each wave’s crest and then dips into the trough. The mast is tall and the sail is down. The white anchor rope tied to the cleat is taut as it firmly holds the boat to the lake’s soft silty bottom. Peaceful, right?

Faith, hope and love are the basis for our Christian walk, our salvation. The lake, the water, is love. Love lifts us up. Love lifts others up. Love sustains us. God’s love surrounds us. Jesus is the living water.

The sailboat is our faith. Faith is trust. Faith trusts that God will buoy us up in this life. Faith keeps us secure in our God when our lives are rough and tossed. Faith floats on the promises of God’s eternal love.

The anchor is our hope. Hope keeps our faith firmly in place. Hope knows God calls us sons and daughters. Hope feels the presence of God and seeks His will. Hope never lets us fall. Hope dispels our doubts. Hope anchors us and our faith in God.

This week, imagine your faith sailing through the waters of God’s all-encompassing love and letting your hope anchor your soul to Him.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we imagine our faith, hope and love with our Mighty God.

Blessings as you “sail” with the Lord!