“In almost an instant our souls can go from being buoyant to being four inches from capsizing.”- Judah Smith
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.”- Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV)
In Chapter 4 (“An Anchor for the Soul”) of How’s Your Soul?, Judah Smith observes life can bring us four inches from capsizing or four inches from being overwhelmed by success. Therefore, Pastor Smith asserts that when our souls find their home in Jesus, our inner needs for security, strength, and solidity are met.
Hence, in Hebrews 6:19-20, God speaks to us about an innate, timeless and universal need: the need for stability. Since souls tend to drift like a boat on the sea, our souls need an anchor. In other words , an anchor keeps our souls from drifting, carried out to sea by every wake and current swirling past.
Ultimately, an anchor keeps your soul from capsizing. Judah explains:
“An anchor is an agent of stability . . . security . . . steadiness. You tether yourself to it, and no matter how unpredictable or challenging the elements become, you remain stable.”
As a result, jobs, education, connections, prominence, or cleverness cannot anchor our souls. The bottom line? Things without souls cannot possibly help people- who do have souls.
Yet, although family, spouses, or friends have souls, their souls bear the same fragility and fragmentation as ours. When we tie ourselves to each other, we both end up four inches from capsizing.
In conclusion, Judah affirms that we need a soul:
- similar to ours, that knows our plight and condition
- profoundly different- flawless, perfect, whole
- that doesn’t have to fix itself
Stated another way- we need Jesus!
Today’s question: What Bible verses keep you from capsizing? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Helicopter Jesus”
