Sitting on a raft or relaxing on an inner tube in a lazy body of water, it might not seem like one is moving whatsoever. After a time, without an identified point of reference to continually look back to upon the shore, one might find himself having quietly and unnoticeably drifted rather far away.
Without diligence and an intentional commitment to remain focused upon a stable point of reference, this may happen to us spiritually. Imperceptibly, weeks have gone by without observing disciplines like biblical connection and prayerful dependence. Now adrift, we realize we are not as close to the solid ground of fellowship with Christ that will sustain us in difficulty.
A time when this may especially happen is when we are out of sync with life rhythms … you know, like the summer.
The second summer sermon series that begins this week is called “Drift,” and it follows rather naturally upon the heels of the “Rooted” series. Drifting is what can happen when our roots are weak or our connection to the Vine is comprised.
We are going to look at some very famous biblical characters who, for all of their commendable traits and deeds, found themselves at a juncture of life to be “adrift” and disconnected. We will be looking at Moses, Elijah, Jonathan, Jonah, Solomon, and Peter.
We will have some devotional writings to accompany these studies, beginning each Monday. Maybe not every week will have five writings, but there will be some resources we trust will help you stay more anchored, even while enjoying the pleasantries of the summer months.
Seriously 
Wow. It is such a struggle to stay focused on God. News is fascinating … wars and rumors of wars. Politics is fascinating as people engage in controversy and manuever. Our curiousity might be piqued as to how corrupt society is.
News Flash. Society is very corrupt and the only answer is Jesus and the one we are to support is that Prince of Peace.
Distractions are huge problems. Get our eyes off what God may have us to be doing and they may fall easily on distractions.
An additional name jumped in my head as I read your list of people who drifted — David.
NIV 2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. (2 Sam. 11:1-2ff NIV)
David got so accustomed to luxury and just hanging out “watching” getting up from his bed or couch (depending on the translation) that he fell trap to selfish desires.
A loyal soldier though named Uriah put David’s quest for luxury and comfort into stark relief. Uriah had his good intentions, his great work ethic, put into scripture … he is now forever remembered by Bible readers for his commitment to serving God.
“11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” (2 Sam. 11:11 NIV)
I’ve never thought about this before. Read this:
—Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents…”
Later David had Solomon by Bethsheba, who had been Uriah’s wife. However maybe the incident with Uriah stuck in David’s memory and he remembered that the ark was in a tent and this memory prompted him to build the temple for God.? (Speculation. We can’t know for sure.)
After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” (1 Chr. 17:1 NIV)
How do so many of us spend our time? Do we spend too much time just hanging out sleeping on the couch or bed? Are we not engaged with the work of God?
However, we should consider how much time we are being lazy, seeking pleasure, … perhaps watching TV’s shows … just things that don’t help mold our minds into instruments for God.
Or even if we spend time on media such as Facebook are we trying to serve God and somehow use our gifts to build others up? Or could we be trying to gain approval from men?
Lot to learn. A lot to change. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is– his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2 NIV)
I’m not going to knock social media though I’m not yet on it. Yet if I do get on it I hope that scriptures such as the following guide my conduct on it. I must consider can I do this … and will it be good if I get on social media?
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. —[Could I be humble on social media?] —
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. —[Can I serve the body of Christ on social media?] —
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. —[Could I reach out to others on social media?] —
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. —[Could I respond in a biblical, kind and respectful way to criticism?]—
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Rom. 12:3-21 NIV)
Another question is do I have the time and can I balance out my life without spending too much time on it?
How does God want me to show his light in a dark, corrupt world? How much do I have to learn about how corrupt the world really is?
Why does Paul recommend the following? —Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy– think about such things. (Phil. 4:8 NIV)—
Is it because we can serve God better if we have good examples in our head rather than just a non-stream flow of the knowledge of toxic behaviors pooling in our heads?
There is a lot of corruption in the world. If we learn about all this and increase our sorrow and grief, are we also ready to grow in mercy to extend to people who are caught up in bad behavior or can we learn to be merciful to those who suffer from this bad behavior?
Is it a cause of alarm that I might spend more time learning about the dirt in society and various forms of injustice and criminal activity throughout the world, than I spend in prayer with the only one who can do anything about it? There is only ONE whose kingdom (government) can end all this evil. It is his material that I need to read and follow.