Drifting Away..........    
    
   North of here sits the small community of Weeki Wachee, a rustic park around a natural spring - known for mermaid shows - and a creek flowing west from the spring to the Gulf. 

   We've rented canoes to paddle lazily down the picturesque little stream. The water is clear for a few miles, revealing fish and maybe a manatee or two. Once, where the current is faster, my son and I overturned and became separated. We survived.

   The main instruction given to renters is this: If you drift past the take-out, your canoe will be considered "stolen." 

   The take-out place isn't particularly visible, but if you pay careful attention you will see it. A van with trailer comes to the rescue, returning canoes and renters back to the launch site. 

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   We must pay careful attention...to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away (Hebrews chapter 2). 

   As the message of the Old Testament was "binding" to its hearers, the gospel  of Christ is obligatory for Christ-ians. There is no escape for drifters. 

   Through suffering, Christ became author of the "great salvation." By his death and resurrection, He destroyed the devil's power to make us fear death, and He freed us from that "slavery." Also, having taken human nature and experienced temptation, Christ is "able to help those who are being tempted." 

   Faith is more than two hours on Sundays. We can be tempted any day or night of the week.

   We can drift from our prayer life and time in the Word, allowing the world to distract. Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). He steals those who drift away. 

   If I miss the Savior's take-out, consider me stolen.

       Jimmy