The
Anchor Holds
By Susan Klein
“We have this hope
as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews
6:19 (NIV)
Christian
music has always played a big part in my faith journey. One of my favorite
artists when just starting out on my faith walk was Ray Boltz. His songs told
stories. One of my favorites was, “The Anchor Holds.” [1] The chorus goes:
The
anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have
fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm
Many
times, I would play the CD and sing along, not giving too much thought to what
the lyrics were about. Then, one summer, while my neighbor across the street was
at home celebrating the birth of her baby girl, I was at home mourning the loss
of mine. Overcome by grief and unable to sleep, I sat alone in my living room,
feeling much like that torn and battered ship, having gone through my own personal
storm.
I
put in the CD to hear the familiar lyrics. As the music started, I opened the
case to follow along with the words printed inside. I knew them by heart, but
something propelled me to look anyway. What I found was another story. The
author of the song was a dear friend of Ray Boltz’s, and he wrote the lyrics
right after losing his own baby. [2] How come I never noticed that before?!! I
believe my loving Abba Father was saving it for just that moment, when He knew
the pain of a grieving daddy would soothe this grieving mommy’s heart. I sang
along, this time knowing and feeling the author’s pain, his words reaching the
deepest part of my heart and becoming my words. I sang with tears of sadness,
of comfort, and of hope. God would be my anchor, and I would get through this.
Years
later, re-visiting the song, I can now relate to the last verse:
I have
been young
But I am older now
And there has been beauty
These eyes have seen
But I am older now
And there has been beauty
These eyes have seen
But it
was in the night
Through the storms of my life
Oh, that's where God proved
His love to me
Through the storms of my life
Oh, that's where God proved
His love to me
The
Anchor holds. [3]
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
Who is usually the first person you turn to when the storms of life start
raging?
2.
Let God, who makes all things work together for good, meet you in your storm
and be your anchor.
FURTHER
READING:
[1]
Ray Boltz, Lawrence Chewning, The Anchor Holds, 1992; Copyright: Shepherd Boy
Music, Word Music LLC
[3]
Want to listen to this song? Listen to it here: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=E2FJMNNU
Susan is married to
Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing,
and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at
Oakwood and also co-leads a Wednesday Night Community small group.
