March 6

Tied to the Dock

35  comments

I grew up on the water. I learned to water-ski when I was four. My dad was still skiing in his sixties! As a kid, I loved to sit at the front of the boat, hands gripped to the sides, my nose stretched out far enough to just beat the front of the boat.

I learned young how to protect Daddy’s boat. Boats are not like cars, which stay put when you turn them off. When you are in the water, the boat is always moving. Even when it feels still, if you aren’t tied to the deck the boat will float away—even in the smoothest of waters.

The Bible is clear that there are two paths. I am following Jesus, or I am not. I am living the Spirit-filled life or I am being influenced by something else. I am allowing God to permeate and affect every area of my life, or I am holding the control in my own hands. There is no in-between in the Kingdom of God.

I am tied to the deck, or I am drifting away.

Even if it is just because I fell asleep and let go of the rope; without intentionality I drift.

The Anchored Life

We can learn much from the blessed man of Psalm 1.

  • He walked intentionally.

The blessed man is intentional to not just run away from God, but pays attention to where he is walking, standing and sitting. 

  • He treasured the Word.

The written word of God brought this man delight.

It is a pleasure to get a pedicure. I love getting to sleep in. My two-raw-sugar-no-foam-with-whip-latte is a treat. A facial? Yes, please! These are all things that being me physical pleasure. Though, I must ask myself: Do I delight in God as much as these?

  • He was well-watered.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV)

‘nough said.

  • His way was known.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me (John 10:14 ESV)

What a confidence in life, to know that I am known and still loved. Why would I ever want to let go of the only One who knows all there is to know about me—yet still pursues me?

 

Blessed is the woman who is tied to the deck.

 


Tags

Abide, Bible, Following Jesus, God's Word, write it girl


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  1. Love this image Katie. The anchored tied to the dock life. The thought too is true ‘we’ are always moving either away or to what we are tied to.

  2. Love this post.

    My dad used to listed to a lot of motivational tapes while he drove, and I remember one he played often that said that “Noting is neutral – what you’re doing is either moving you closer to or farther from your goals.”

    I think about that a lot. Is what I’m doing moving me closer to where I want to be? Because if it’s not, it’s moving me farther away from it.

    1. So true, and a dangerous blind spot, of thinking of something as neutral. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Thank you Katie, such a great reminder that if we are holding the control then we are probably adrift. I needed this.

  4. Love your imagery, Katie. Having grown up on the water myself, it really brought it home for me.
    What grace. to be known and still loved. you’re right. why wouldn’t I want to hold on to that?!?
    striving to be tied to Him. thank you!
    All for Him,
    Nikki

    1. Thanks, Nikki! So glad my jog isn’t to paddle and steer the boat…just to cling!

  5. Well-watered. Those are some words for me to drink in today. Nice to meet you through the Write it, Girl community. Blessings.

    1. So glad you’ve joined in the community, Nancy! I’m pretty sure we sat together for a meal at Relevant. The first night, maybe? Thanks for visiting!

  6. I love these words – “Blessed is the woman who is tied to the dock”. So true – and a reminder especially when going through some difficult times – everyday, strengthen this tie, and rest in this secure place of closeness with Him.

    1. Yes! The security comes from His stability, and our proximity to Him! Great way to put it, thanks!

  7. I have been pondering your words about delighting in the Lord as much as the things that bring me physical pleasure. Definitely something good to think about! Thanks for this 🙂

    1. Me too, Chelsey. I am so easily thrilled by the comforts surrounding me, and crave them when they are missing. But, I can find myself without the craving for His presence…sometimes because I have allowed myself too many comforts.

  8. I love this imagery!!! I will also never forget a training I took for awareness of issues foster children experience where they used a similar image to describe that once the children lose their parents, their home, their friends, their school, and on and on…they feel lost. They have no anchor holding them down to this world and many times they are just drifting through life never feeling “tied” to anything.

    My prayer is that these children and all of us would experience an anchored life through Christ!

    1. Wow. So sad. Praying He does bring many into a deep relationship with Him, so they can experience the stability of being known by Him.

    1. Thank you, Jessica. I long to be the one that doesn’t wither in the heat of the day! Appreciate your encouragement.

  9. Katie,
    I loved the personal reflection and great picture to engrain this in my brain. So true. Wrtie It, Girl! Glad to join in the link-up.
    War Eagle!
    Brooke

    1. War Eagle!! (Did you go to Auburn? When we’re you there. My first fall was ’96.)

      Thanks for joining us!

  10. Oh to be known and yet still loved. He is the only one who truly knows me. I am so thankful for His love. Your words beautiful here today.

    1. Thanks, Barbie! I, too, am thankful for His love. Thanks for visiting and linking up!

    1. Thanks Jamie! Glad you found us!

      I’ll be working with you some over at ITA! Loved your post from last week. Caught up a bit on your adoption journey, and bawled through the video.

      Took a trip to La Gonave last July…Our church is going back this summer, but I won’t be able to go this time, but hope to go again soon. Life changing.

      We have lots to talk about!

    1. Thanks, Jessica! It was fun to write (actually part of a talk I gave…) He was faithful to bring me an analogy, as I usually have to pick my husband’s brain for ideas!

  11. Beautiful imagery, Katie. Tied to the dock, anchored in Christ.

    Drifting happens so easily, even subconsciously. Each new day is a call to remain tethered to the only One who can sustain me. I’m so thankful that He never stops reaching out.

    Thank you for hosting Write It, Girl. I so enjoyed participating last November. It’s fun to participate again this spring.

  12. “I am tied to the deck, or I am drifting away.” I haven’t thought of it this way before, but how true! Drifting away can happen quicker than we even realize. Thank you for the beautiful reminder! And thank you for hosting Write It, Girl with Stacey!

    In Christ,
    Laura

  13. Not only does this post make me long for summer, but it is a great reminder to delight in the Lord and the true source of life instead of the pleasure-passions that cause me to imperceptibly drift. They seem innocuous but without diligent abiding these other loves can take me far from my savior — thank you! God bless – Alyssa

  14. Beautiful analogy! I have to be careful when it comes to the people/friends I allow into my life, especially if they aren’t Christians, I’ve had to let people go if their ways were influencing me more than I was influencing them. That’s tough to do, but God wants all of us not just part of us.
    War Eagle by the way! I can’t believe I stumbled upon an Auburn Fan’s blog, that’s awesome!
    I graduated in 2002, supposed to have graduated in 2000 but I guess I was enjoying the college life too much :)and decided to hang around a little longer.

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