You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end. . . . Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 1:10–2:4)The devil’s first lie was a suggestion that God does not want the best for His people. This is an effective tool because eating from the tree of knowledge changed that relationship with God from one of total trust to one where we get the notion that we know better than God does. Therefore, we drift into trusting our own ideas of right and wrong, of how to deal with problems, of what is best for us.
While this is a spiritual error, it also defies logic. How could I possibly think that I know more or better than God? Yet this is the nature of sin — and being oblivious to the drift. This is why He tells me to pay attention, even closer attention.
I could use my dose of ADHD as an excuse (I am very easily distracted) but God does not honor my excuse. Instead, He understands it and knows that I need to heed the ‘pay closer attention’ wording.
I also need the signs, wonders, miracles and spiritual gifts. This past week, my faith was boosted by reading a testimony, and of finding out how many sinners enter the family of God each day, and by an amazing sermon on Romans 1:18-32, and by conversations with Christian friends.
While good advice is offered, keeping intentional with daily devotions is most important for me, even though regularly reading and writing what God says might be forgotten by lunch. It takes more than good intentions to stop the drift.
Being active with other believers is important too. Yesterday I spoke to a man whose brother just died. I intended to encourage him, yet he encouraged me also. It was a huge block to drifting.
I’m told to focus on the gospel and on Jesus. For me, focus is easier said than done. I have Scripture on my computer screens, bulletin board, a photo display device, and other places, very visible yet often easy to ignore.
One suggestion is to recognize triggers. For me, it is being too busy, or anxiety about something, or being over-tired. Do I need to slow down, pray more, or have a nap? Those three triggers push me towards drifting.
Besides needing reminders, my mom’s mantra often pulls me back from a drift. She often said, “We must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.” This are words that recognize how God tests and strengthens faith. Do I trust Him in the tough stuff? Or will I believe that illogical lie?
The word translated “drift” is about a gradual happening, not a sudden decision that God is wrong and I am right. Driftt is also subtle and often happens to those who are trying to build their ego, or sense of belonging, or struggling with admitting weakness. God wants me to rely on Him, not myself, but that old nature crawls off the altar yelling “trust me, trust me” instead of rejoicing that I cannot do anything. But Jesus can, and I get no glory because the glory belongs to Him!
Jesus, fatigue hits me early some days. I’m tempted to sleep or to press on without You on this day, but realize that You use fatigue (often caused by medications) to test my trust, my belief that waiting on You for direction is always the best answer. Keep me from letting this or anything else draw me into that slow drift away from what I know to be true.
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