Living near an ocean coast for the vast majority of my childhood, it was drilled into me as a tiny child to be careful of the undertow current, the general current, and how to escape them. With an undertow, it’s sudden, pulls you under, spins you upside down, and it incurs instant panic. Sometimes life does that to us, doesn’t it? The pain is instant with hurtful words from a loved one… the diagnosis hits us with a force we didn’t see coming… a car accident spins us so badly, we don’t know which way is up… We all have a story. The undertow moments of our lives are specific points in time that we will always remember. But, what about the general current? Is it just as dangerous?

The most time in the story of our lives is spent in the general current – the drifting without realizing. We float with the current until we notice we’ve lost sight of the shore and the multi-colored beach umbrella where we stashed our stuff and where our family is. Panic. “How did I get here?” “I didn’t realize I drifted so far!” “I can’t even see where I need to be!” Um… how do I get back?” The current sweeps us away from safety to an unknown place while we were unaware.

The enemy of our souls loves to get us to this place in our lives – confused, unaware, panicked, unprotected, and away from remembering the goodness of God. The enemy does this through distraction, sin, and apathy (and other well-known tactics). Do a self-check in this moment – where is the shore and “home base?” Where are you? Far away from where you need to be? Our God loves us no matter how far we drift – that multi-colored beach umbrella is there even if you’re far away from it.

Interestingly enough, to start swimming back to your destination, you must swim parallel to the shore. When we drift from the Lord, to get back into the harmony and fellowship we need to be in, we must focus on being parallel to His Word and His will. It takes effort and usually goes against the current. Endure. Persevere. You’ll get back to where you need to be. Stay focused. Pray. You can do this. You can make it back. God’s arms are open and waiting. 1 Timothy 4:16. Matthew 26:41. Psalm 4:8. Isaiah 40:11-12. 1 John 1:6-7.

©️Rachel D. Lyne