Last night I was talking with a friend. We talked about work, relationships, kids, and home projects. And then added the pressure of recognizing that God wired us for rest-cycles, and that we needed to figure out how to fit that in, as well. Didn’t take long, actually, until it went from feeling like a lot on the plate to becoming somewhat overwhelming. Oh, and then we added one more thing to pile. We didn’t call it this, but my reading in Hebrews this morning put it into words — we also talked about the need to be careful not to “neglect such a great salvation.”

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

(Hebrews 2:1-3a ESV)

Lest we drift away. That’s what I’m noodling on this morning.

How easy it is to let the truth of our redemption trickle away. To let the sure hope of eternity subtly escape us. To allow the promises to pass by. To let the wonder of our salvation slip away. And actually, it’s not the truth, or the hope, or the promises, or the great salvation that imperceptibly gets carried off. It’s us. Lest we drift away.

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard.

So my buddy and I talked also about the need to, along with everything else, keep tethered to the Word. Making the time, finding the slot in our margin-less schedules, to pay attention to what we have heard.

I know the context and circumstances for the Hebrews was very different than ours. But I’m thinking there’s a common concern, drifting away. Distracted by things below to the point where we no longer set our minds on things above. So concerned with how to do life that we fail to engage the Author of Life. Still believing, but not doing much beholding. Drifting away.

My time in the word is so much more than just a spiritual discipline. It’s an essential lifeline. Not just a good habit that helps my day go better, but a solid anchor that tethers me to the Rock in the midst of the storm. Not just another thing to check off my already too full to-do list, but a vital reminder that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

I need to pay close attention to the things of my salvation, lest I drift away. Because “Out of sight, out of mind.” And, out of mind . . . eventually, out of gas.

Grateful this morning for the Bible on my desk. Keeps me from drifting away. Keeps me from neglecting my salvation — a salvation which has saved me from the penalty of sin; a salvation which is saving me from the power of sin; a salvation which, one day, will save me from the very presence of sin. A great salvation!

Don’t wanna drift away. Paying close attention, this morning.

By His grace. For His glory.