Have you ever noticed something in your life with some significance, but then in a moment of clarity, you realize it contains far more power than you originally realized? That’s what happened with the anchors in my story, The Windblown Girl.

Anchors, A Way to Relationship

When my Norwegian navigator placed the small gold anchor in my hand, he apologized because it wasn’t the bigger one he’d intended to give me. Later he gave me that larger one, too. At the time I treasured those gifts above everything else I owned other than The Windblown Girl Lladro figurine.

For several years, those anchors reminded me of a precious relationship. However, when I decided to marry someone else, I knew that to continue wearing them, the significance of those anchors had to change. Hebrews 6:19 from the Bible came to mind.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.

Since before I married my second husband, my hope, especially in challenging circumstances, has been because of Christ’s death on the cross. By His sacrifice of taking the punishment for my sin–sins like the affair I had with the Norwegian and even my lack of guilt afterward–Jesus connected my life to the living God. I no longer had to stand outside His presence. Before Christ came, a thick veil in God’s holy temple symbolized that separation from our Creator. But, at the moment of Christ’s death on the cross, that veil was torn in two.

Accepting Christ’s sacrifice means Jesus has anchored us in a relationship with the Lord of all heaven and earth. That vertical relationship is deeply personal and powerful. Every day we can come into God’s presence asking for His wisdom, creativity, and power in all the details of our lives. Even more, we can worship Him without reservation because we know we’re deeply loved.  As our Savior, Jesus opened all of heaven to us now and forevermore, and that should give us an eternal perspective. But that’s not all.

Anchors, A Way to Freedom

When it came to the title of chapter 5, while proofreading my manuscript, a good friend asked if I’d meant “Anchors Aweigh.” I told her “No, I intended ‘Anchors, A Way.'” But I couldn’t explain why because I didn’t know. Sometimes that happens when I’m writing and asking God to give me wisdom, creativity, and power. It’s strange because over the past few months I’ve come to understand the meaning of “Anchors, A Way” so much better.

That happened after I’d bought some beautiful anchor jewelry to thank people like my friends who edited the manuscript. And, to use as a prize for the ZOOM launch party.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, my friend Ann-Margret Hovsepian also created a coloring page with an anchor using the Hebrews 6:19 verse. (You’ll receive a copy and can enter our coloring contest by signing up for my free e-newsletter.)  Plus I found a devotion that explained more about an anchor’s significance. After reading it numerous times and considering the profound imagery developed in my true story, now I understand chapter 5’s title.

Consider how an anchor keeps a boat from drifting into harm’s way. When I’ve gone on cruises, sometimes we’ve anchored far enough out that the tides couldn’t smash us against the rocks on shore or get us into the dangers of shallow waters.

Anchors give us stability. They keep us out of harm’s way. They provide the security we need to guard us against dangerous obstacles that could destroy us. What comfort! Within that context of protection, we have tremendous freedom.

Anchors, A Way to Justice

The red, white, and blue of the anchor jewelry I bought is significant all on its own. America is the only country I know of that anchors the foundation for justice in our Declaration of Independence.”

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

Because we are all created in the image of God, there exists the reality that all human beings have tremendous value and should be treated with respect for their lives, their differences, and their hopes and dreams. Black, Brown, White, Asian and Indian; gay, straight, or trans; rich, poor, or middle class; healthy or disabled; felon or CEO; we all reflect our Creator in a variety of ways. Because of sin, far too often we stray from that reality but when that principle becomes our goal, we’ll value one another and listen to each others views with respect even when we vehemently disagree. The freedom of Truth requires that each individual choose whether to honor our Creator and obey His Word or go our own way and practice behaviors outside of His protective and wise standards. All that can only be figured out through lives anchored in a relationship with Jesus Christ. No other worldview offers that valuable and powerful gift.

 Anchors, A Way to Live

As a young woman I made many foolish choices. I tested the limits, sometimes pushing against moral values in ways that could have caused tremendous harm to myself and others. Some of my choices probably did.

Yet deciding to stay anchored in the Lord’s presence has kept me safe and helped me try to avoid the injustice of injuring others with my words and actions. With Jesus as the guardian and shepherd of my soul, the true light of the world improves my character. With Jesus, I have Someone to show me the Way helping me navigate the most challenging circumstances. Anchored in Christ, I can’t think of a more solid rock to stand on or a better way to live. Can you?