Day 37 “Slow Drift”

Devotional:

If you’ve ever spent time in the ocean, you will know that the waves move in a certain direction, but the direction is subtle. It’s a “slow drift.” You could be floating in the water or playing with your kids, but before long you’re a distance away from your towel and chair on shore without realizing it. It’d be different if you were in the Gulley River of West Virginia. You’d definitely know you’re heading in a direction. And if you’re not in a raft it might be to go and meet Jesus!

A slow drift can happen to anyone if they’re not paying attention. It can happen in your marriage when you stop taking time to work on the relationship. It can happen at work when you let little compromises occur. It can happen with God when you begin to skip daily time with Him. Any of us can experience a slow drift. Jesus uses a different metaphor for this: “leaven” used in bread. A little bit can affect the whole dough.

Specifically, Jesus was talking about unbiblical teaching that begins to make it’s way into a person’s beliefs. It’s happened in theological seminaries, when a little unbiblical teaching occurs and it can begin to affect other teachings and before you know it, the seminary has gone theologically liberal. And it can happen in our daily lives when we begin to believe a lie from Satan and begin to justify unbiblical behavior. It can lead us to an ungodly lifestyle that can hurt our relationship with God and others.

The slow drift. Jesus tried to warn His disciples of this, but all they were thinking about were their bellies. Their own personal wants above the kingdom. We can be guilty of this if we aren’t careful. When this happens, it can lead to little compromises that can drift us into bigger ones. Thank goodness for God’s mercy and grace. He didn’t give up on the disciples and they ended up getting it right eventually. But in this passage Jesus had it right, “Do you not yet understand?” (v. 21).

Jesus had twelve loaves left over the first time He miraculously fed the crowd and He had seven loaves left over the second time. Jesus will always take care of the needs of His people. And He will go above and beyond. Certainly His patience went above and beyond for the disciples, and His patience and grace in their lives would pay off. They would end up taking the gospel around the world after He went back to heaven. Jesus kept them from a slow drift.

How about us? Are we avoiding slow drifts in our lives? If we keep in God’s Word we can be guarded against unbiblical drifts in our thinking and behavior. Consistent, ongoing prayer can keep us from drifting farther and farther into worry and fear. Having people in our lives who will “speak the truth in love” can help reveal the drifts we don’t realize may be happening. Jesus is good and He is gracious. If there’s been some drifting in your life, bring it to Jesus. He patiently worked with the disciples and He will do the same with us.

Prayer:

Are there any drifts that have been happening in your life? If so, confess and ask God to help bring you back to the center of Jesus.