Real Hope: HopeSample

Anchors Outlast Ships

On a grey November morning in 1974, a construction crew dredging New York’s frigid East River snagged something so heavy it nearly toppled their barge.

After a tense tug of war with the submerged behemoth, the bucket finally surfaced a massive derelict ship anchor. Weighing over 2.5 tonnes and close to 4m high, the wooden sailing ship anchor hadn’t seen daylight in over 100 years, and yet it showed little sign of decay. Today, the East River anchor is still displayed long after the ship it was connected to was lost.

When the Bible speaks of the hope as an anchor, don’t merely think of something fixing you to a point during a storm. Sure, that’s one of its critical roles. Another is to help point the bow of the vessel into the storm to prevent water rushing in over the sides or stern. Our hope does not prevent us from being subjected to the storms and torments of our lives, but is instead made for them.

Likewise, as tempting as it may be to think of hope as an umbrella, think instead of the East River anchor. Massive, robust, lasting, powerful, and designed to last against the most turbulent of currents. Made for those very currents.

To this day, that anchor still inspires passers-by with its stately form and scale on a paved street near the East River. Even while hope is sustaining us during tough times it’s also a great encouragement to others around us.

Jesus is our anchor. Let Him keep you pointed into the storm.

Written by DWAYNE JEFFRIES