The Timeline
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19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
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Don’t you really know me Philip?
Anchoring up to God in the storms of life is crucial and that’s what I want to think about in this session…. It involves a bit of creativity from you, a bit of testimony and instruction from Jennie and quiet reflection and prayer.
1. I noticed through my Chaplaincy work how people are drawn to ask big questions in a crisis accident or life-threatening illness (like Julie’s story) – and in the midst of the suffering people have special encounters with God – this too is anchoring.
Hebrews 12:2,3 For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
2. I noticed even the midst of trouble or in the hospital scene that being anchored with God was often triggered by Koinonia - community and fellowship. Even something like a Chaplain taking a tele message from a church friend to let the patient know she is in your prayers. Koinonia with God develops from the camaraderie on the wards or the chemistry between Chaplain and patient or from the visits of Christian friends where both visitor and visited are blessed and mutually changed.
I will refer to this in Corpus - the Sunday Morning service - Anchoring Up and I hope my testimony and the stories you hear will encourage you as you leave Devon to journey on
3. Anchored in Suffering - You will be familiar with the life story of Joni. Paralysed from a diving accident.
I received many copies of her life story after my accident. I never read one of them. I didn’t connect with her story just because she had a spinal injury. Forth five years later, I still pray for healing still believe in the miraculous but (like Paul) I have learnt wherever I am to be content. (Phil 4:11).
Joni Eriksson initially found it impossible to reconcile her paralysis with a loving God.
All God's gifts she had as an active teenager were taken from her. What was the reason, 'why me?' Through 3 years of tears and prayers in her suffering...finally one night she became convinced God understood, because of the cross (Heb 2:18) ‘Because he himself was tested by what He suffered – He is able to help those who are being tested.’
Joni’s story resonated with me, not because she struggled at first, my experience was to feel carried, I didn’t go through a period of depression (as I was expected to). But her story resonated with me because her encountering God in her brokenness (after 3 years) was an anchor. If the promise is that he is steadfast and sure, then she chose not to question why but to live for the Lord – to radiate for Him….
God can turn every adversity into a victory Hebrews 12:1 ‘Let us run the race with perseverance… looking to Jesus the author and perfector of our Faith.. who endured the cross…. so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
Hebrews 10:12 ‘But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins he sat down at the right hand of God... since then has been waiting until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.’ (1 Corinthians 15v25 'he must reign till all enemies have been put under foot’ He can reign through us as we submit to the Lord.
All of us have a story to tell, the story of our lives (autobiography) but my story is not a memoir it is a testimony… a testimony is about giving witness of someone or something else and my prayer this w/end is that my testimony gives witness that God can take an ordinary life and transform it, God can take any circumstance that looks like a disaster and turn it into a victory. Through you and me he can put every effort of the enemy under his feet!
I have nothing to say here if it is not about my life in Christ Jesus. I would like us to think about our story - your testimony.
Pause for a couple of minutes to think about one stormy time in life’s journey – when you needed the Lord as Steadfast sure anchor.
In 2's or 3's share your story and listen to the other stories. If you had a faith then talk about how your faith sustained you (or didn’t) through that time. If you didn’t have a faith then talk about the effect the crisis had on you.
Finally talk about this experience of sharing the story. If possible pray with each other
Solo exercise
Draw a timeline from birth to now… Mark on it symbols of Calm. Sunny, Doldrums, Storms. Then put on the symbol of an anchor to denote times when you felt anchored or symbol X to denote drifting.
Mark symbols to denote times when you felt anchored in storms of life.
