The Drift

Key Thought | Drifting doesn’t happen all at once. It happens slowly, quietly, when we stop paying attention to the truths that anchor us. Staying close to Jesus requires intentionality, consistency, and the courage to resist the currents that pull us away from His presence.

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”— Hebrews 2:1 (NKJV)

The writer of Hebrews spends the entire first chapter establishing the deity of Christ, making it clear that there is no equal, no rival, and no other deity that compares. Then, in this brief but powerful verse, he warns us to be careful not to drift.

It would do us all good to remember that we each have a tendency to drift from the truths that keep us steadfast. I’ve written down a few things that cause me to drift, and I’d love to hear yours, too.

I Get Bored | I do. I like to learn something and then teach it. But I’ve realized there are many things in Scripture that I know but don’t live, truths I can teach but can’t yet demonstrate. Knowledge that hasn’t yet reached the revelation of my heart. I love new things, but I’ve learned that revelation, when not stewarded and absorbed, eventually fades.

I Get Busy | Busyness is the enemy of transformation. Becoming like Him, being shaped into His image and likeness, takes time and intentionality.

The first step in transformation is learning to trust His pace. There have been so many things I’ve done under the banner of ministry that were nothing but wasted energy, efforts made to please people rather than God. I rarely considered the toll it took on my soul.

Here’s the thing: the toll on my soul will never only affect me. It always impacts those God has entrusted to me: Lauren, Wes, David, and beyond.

If you truly want to avoid drifting, you must die to the lie that busyness equals importance. God is raising up Marys in this generation, those who choose to sit at His feet.

I Get Influenced | This is my weakness. I’ll hear something, someone will send me a podcast or idea, or I’ll see what another church is doing successfully; and before I realize it, my heart has drifted. The voice of God gets muffled by the noise of outside voices.

But I’ve learned: He doesn’t yell. He whispers. He calls me to the desert so that distractions fall away. In His love, He has even brought me to barren places I didn’t choose, simply to save me from myself. Yet we don’t have to wait for the wilderness; we can choose it.

We are always being influenced, but we have far more control over that influence than we like to admit. The more voices I allow in, the more distant His voice becomes.

I Get Lazy | Coasting is very different from resting. When things are going well, I can sometimes get lazy in my consistency with Him. Two problems come from this:

First, it reveals immaturity. That sounds like a teenage faith rather than a mature one. I’m currently raising a teenager, and I’m constantly reminding him to stay disciplined and consistent whether things are good or bad, to stick to the process. Recently, I felt the Lord whisper, “Aaron, deal with the plank in your eye before you deal with the speck in his.” Tough, but true.

Second, it means I’ve equated sunshine and blue skies with God’s favor, and that’s simply not true. Obedience is the goal, not what the world calls “blessed.”

I am blessed today because He has promised never to leave me or forsake me. The presence of God doesn’t mean the absence of hard things; it means He walks with me through them.

Let’s take this verse to heart and be careful of the drift.

What are some things that cause you to drift?

Prayer | Lord, help me recognize the subtle ways I drift from You. Teach me to be anchored in Your Word, to quiet the noise, and to trust Your pace. Strengthen my heart to stay consistent in every season, whether calm or stormy, and keep me close to Your presence. Amen.

Reflection | Where have you noticed yourself drifting, through distraction, busyness, or complacency? What one step can you take this week to realign your heart with Him?

We'd love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments what God is speaking to you as you read these devotionals. If you haven't already subscribed to receive our devotional emails right to your inbox, hit the subscribe button below and invite your family and friends to subscribe as well! Thank you for being a part of our Opendoor Devotional Community. We appreciate you!