Unmoored

In 1872, the American brigantine Mary Celeste was discovered adrift in the Atlantic Ocean. She was found in good condition, her cargo of denatured alcohol intact, and provisions for six months still aboard. However, her lifeboat was missing, and the crew had vanished without a trace. The ship’s logbook offered no clues; its last entry was dated ten days before her discovery. This ghost ship gave rise to several myths and speculations. This enigma of the sea is a powerful metaphor for adrift spiritual lives, appearing stable yet profoundly unmoored and directionless.

Many believers are similarly unmoored, floating aimlessly amidst ever-changing ideas and trendy spiritual practices. This “salad bar faith,” where one picks and chooses appealing beliefs while leaving behind essential doctrines, can lead to a fragmented and unstable spirituality. The remedy for this drift is a return to the simplicity and purity of Biblical Primitivism, grounding ourselves in the foundational truths of Scripture.

Often, when souls drift into the world, they follow a path of moral decline—falling into behaviors like sexual immorality, excessive drinking, and other vices. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, this unmooring arises from an intellectual and spiritual drift, where believers become enamored with a rotating list of new ideas, leading them away from the straightforward teachings of the Bible.

In our quest for deeper understanding, it’s easy to become captivated by new philosophies and complex theological concepts. While intellectual exploration can enrich our faith, it can also lead us astray if it pulls us away from the foundational truths of Scripture. The Barna Group’s alarming findings about modern Christianity highlight this drift: many self-identified Christians spend more time on entertainment than on spiritual activities, and a significant number doubt the core tenets of their faith.

Consider Solomon, who, despite his wisdom, allowed his heart to be swayed by the influences of foreign wives and their gods (1 Kings 11:1-4). Solomon’s drift from the simplicity of his devotion to God led to the eventual unraveling of his kingdom. His story is a stark reminder that even the wisest among us can become unmoored when we lose sight of our first love.

In today’s world, the abundance of information and the rapid spread of new ideas can easily pull us in many directions. The Apostle Paul warned against this very danger in his letter to the Ephesians: “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14, ESV).

When we find ourselves unmoored and captivated by the latest spiritual trends, we must return to the simplicity and purity of our faith. The Bible serves as our steadfast anchor with its timeless wisdom and unchanging truth. As Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

The challenge lies in discerning the difference between enriching and complicating our faith. Jesus emphasized the importance of simplicity and childlike faith, saying, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

Biblical Primitivism calls us back to the faith and practice of the early church, emphasizing a direct and unmediated relationship with God through Christ. The early church devoted themselves “to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). They maintained a simple yet profound faith grounded in the teachings of Jesus and the Scriptures, free from the later accretions of human tradition.

Rejecting the “Christianity L-I-T-E” approach, which seeks to make faith palatable by watering down doctrine, we must embrace the whole counsel of God’s Word. This includes the tough teachings that challenge our modern sensibilities. Returning to Primitive Christianity involves a willingness to think with the early church about the sacred text and to say “no” to false doctrines.

Being unmoored does not mean we are lost. It is an invitation to draw closer to God, to seek His direction, and to trust in His unfailing love. Just as a ship finds its way back to safe harbor, we can find our way back to a place of peace and purpose through our faith.

When we feel the pull of new ideas leading us away from the core of our beliefs, let us remember the words of Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” By anchoring ourselves in His Word, we can navigate the shifting currents of thought and remain grounded in the truth.

In these moments of uncertainty, let us remember the words of Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” By anchoring ourselves in His presence, we can weather any storm and find the strength to move forward.

So, if you feel unmoored, take heart. God’s presence is the anchor that will hold you steady, no matter how rough the seas may become. Trust in Him, and you will return to solid ground.

~PW 🌮🛶