• The thought of casting a boat anchor into the sea (Acts 27:40), or cutting away the lifeboats (Acts 27:32), seems equivalent to cutting the brake lines on your car or canceling your insurance policy. Who in their right mind would do such a thing?- With all our current focus on safety and security, it’s hard to read Paul’s shipwreck story in Acts 27 and not feel a bit uneasy.
  • While it’s essential to be safe and to have contingency plans, sometimes what we cling so tightly to is keeping us from serving God as we should. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in your spiritual growth, struggling to move forward in your discipleship, could it be something is weighing you down that you need to be unanchored from?

Unanchored From Your Past

  • Forget what’s behind you (Phil. 3:13-14). For many, looking back to the past can be full of nostalgia or regret. But none of your past accomplishments or failures will change what you do today! Learn from those moments, but if you ever find yourself trapped by them, it’s time to let them go.
  • Leave unhealthy relationships (2 Cor. 6:14). Peer pressure and negative influences aren’t something to mess around with. The Lord expects you to be holy and unstained from the world. Shine Christ’s light in their lives, but if you find those old friends pulling you down, it’s time to let them go.

Unanchored From Your Stuff

  • Materialism keeps us from discipleship (Mark 10:17-31). Though Jesus looked on that rich man with love, he proceeded to touch a soft spot in his life — his wealth. Riches can distract us from our true purpose of being like Christ. Use your blessings for God’s glory, but if you ever find them taking your focus away from the kingdom, it’s time to let them go.
  • Everything in this life is temporary (2 Cor. 5:1-2). Our lives feel so permanent, like everything we have will last forever. But nothing on this earth is permanent, and we’re not taking it with us. Enjoy your life and give God credit for his provisions, but if you ever start clinging too closely to this “tent,” it’s time to let it go.

Unanchored From Your Sins

  • Our sins only weigh us down (Heb. 12:1-2). Professional athletes are always looking for that “edge” to make them more aerodynamic. Whenever sin festers in our lives, we’re carrying a burden that makes running this race even harder. There’s never a “good” amount of evil to hold onto, so when you find it in your life, it’s time to let it go.
  • Let go of all bitterness and anger (Eph. 4:31-32). Wouldn’t it be nice if all our sins would present themselves clearly, like the Kool-Aid man bursting through our door? But so many sins, like bitterness and anger, sneak in unnoticed like termites in our walls. But when we’ve found these poisonous attitudes in our hearts, it’s time to let them go.

Conclusion

  • What do you need to let go of to serve God more effectively? Are there some friction points that you can smooth out so your spiritual growth can continue?
  • Don’t cling too tightly to anything in this world! Instead, find your security and safety in the Lord God and his Son Jesus Christ. “… (W)e who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf …” (Heb. 6:18-20).