Anchored in Christ
(3 Minute Read)
By Heidi Schartner
There was a boat anchor firmly in place, close to our cabin. You’d think that would be wonderful news. It was… if we were still enjoying summer months and long, hot days. It was, however, October and the temperatures hovered around seven degrees. This anchor had to come in. The ice that was sure to come would damage the buoy and without that, we would never it find again.
The most logical solution was to send the 11-year-old to pull the anchor out. My daughter and I cheered from the warmth and safety of the beach as he made his way into the water. We were also prepared with not one, but two large towels. This was indeed a team effort. Well, sort of.
He pulled with all his might, but the anchor didn’t budge. He tried again. And again. After a few minutes he exclaimed that it was too hard to move. He came in and we thanked him for the effort (still thankful it wasn’t us). I called my husband to say we, well, he tried.
His response? “There’s probably a foot of sand on top of that anchor. I’ll go with him and help.”
Right. The sand. Over the summer months it had embedded that anchor well. Much was being accomplished below the surface of the water. We couldn’t see it but over time, the anchor that seemed fine in June was steadfast in October.
We use an anchor in our Awesome Kidmin Community logo for good reason. It is a reminder that we are anchored in Christ. Each of us is doing His work in various churches and cities and yet we have one constant - Jesus Christ.
There was work being done under the surface where the anchor was dropped at our cabin… the work none of us saw. Do you sometimes feel unseen? Do you feel like your work is going unnoticed? Are you discouraged by the results?
I get it. Some days are just hard. Some months are just hard. Here is my encouragement to you - everything you do is making a difference. We might not see it but HE does. Together, our community is making a difference in the very heart of each child with whom we connect.
Over time, sand surrounded our family’s anchor and made it impossible to move. Our world is bombarding our kids with messages that make them feel unworthy, lesser than, and unloved. Jesus is the one message that they need to hear over and over and over and over.
Yes, your work may go unnoticed, but it is making a HUGE impact. Each time you tell a child they are loved and that they have a God-given purpose is like a tiny grain of sand. Over time, it will help hold that faith anchor steadfast so that child can weather the storms that are sure to come.
Perhaps we need to change the wording from ‘unnoticed’ to ‘under the surface’. We might not see results or be acknowledged for the work. But it is good to remember that this is God’s work and it is an honour to be a part of building His Kingdom.