Drifting Away

September 26, 2024

“Drifting Away”

Scripture

Therefore, we must pay close attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Hebrews 2:1

Reflection

I was at a Bible study and my eyes were drawn to the words drift away in this verse.  Why did the author use those two words? I imagined someone in a rowboat drifting away from shore. They ignored signs that they had drifted away from shore. They look up from their frolic and play and see the shore is nowhere in sight. The sun is setting, and the water looks dark and foreboding. They think, “How long have I been drifting? How do I return to shore when I don’t know which direction will take me there?”

Someone I knew once said, “What’s your drift?” In other words, what keeps you from living as God intended you to do? Is it complacency in your faith? Are you taking your salvation for granted? Sin affects our daily lives. Pride and choosing to do our own will are at the root. Like Adam and Eve, the apple looks appealing until we eat it, and then it is too late. We wanted our way and went against God’s will for us. God has given us a choice to do right or wrong. We are the ones who will suffer the consequences of our rebellion.

So, how do we get back to shore? How do we return to God? We ask God for forgiveness, much like the prodigal son who returned home thinking he would have to work for his father. But his father ran to him when he was a long way off and hugged him. His lost son had now returned. He threw a banquet in his honor, celebrating the joyous occasion. Likewise, His grace is enough for you.

Action Steps

How are you drifting away from God? What has become more important than your relationship with Him? If there is anything, confess it, and he will forgive you. A celebration will happen in Heaven when you do so. Here is a song to help you.

Kimberly Balles

Beauty In Connection

I came to the group
Not knowing what to expect
But I was surprised 
At how real we could get

My heart felt understood 
Isolation no longer appealing
Because here I found people
Who are endearing

Their smiles were so ready
Eager to learn
The small group sharing
My heart it yearns

Although, I am quiet
I do eventually share
When I realize
People hear me here

They don’t judge or condemn
Their countenance open
They share where they’re at
Leaving hearts unbroken

The honesty and openness
Brings laughter and tears
With similar stories
Of struggles and fears

For when a group is real
No pretense is shown
It brings hope to the heart
There’s a place to be known
 
There is beauty in connection
It brings people together
To grow in their faith
And love one another

And as I left
My first time there
I was so relieved
That God met me there
 

Kimberly Balles 2024

Hope for Transformation

I saw a picture yesterday

Of someone who evoked the image of evil

Arrows of anger darted from her eyes

It made me shiver deep inside

What caused that anger?

What broke her heart?

Has she shoved pain down

Unable to separate it apart?

Has life treated her that bad

That feelings she can’t feel

Will her eyes ever open

To see the love that will truly heal

For God loves her more

Than she could ever know

She just has to open the door

And let him soften her to sorrow

Repentance she must do

It’s the only way

To allow Jesus inside of her

The Holy Spirit will stay

©Kimberly Balles 2024

Consequences of Disobedience

I Samuel 16:13-14

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented and terrified him.

Reflection

Her eyes were like daggers of hatred shooting out her hatred. A frown set on her face showing displeasure towards what she was watching. Her countenance different than five years ago as anger was exhibited on her face. She used to be happier then, beautiful inside and out. Somehow five years changed her. She had rage toward her sister and would spout her venom on her.

Her sister on the other hand was filled with joy. She had been delivered from addiction and felt the freedom in Christ. The Holy Spirit gave her the gift of evangelism. She shares her testimony with others never backing down. Their eternity was at stake and she was not going to let that happen. She tries to establish a relationship with her sister, but each time the anger the sister has goes deeper.

Their relationship reminded me of the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 15 – 18. In 1 Samuel 16:13-14, Samuel anoints David as future king of the Israelites. In the next verse, God’s Spirit leaves Saul and an evil Spirit from the Lord comes upon Saul and torments him. I thought of the two sisters, one close to the Lord and the other appeared very far from God, showing no interest in any relationship with Him or her sister. Hostility came easily to her.

Like Saul she had hatred filling her to her core. Saul became jealous of David when the people said, “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands.” Because the evil spirit so tormented him, he hired David to play music and at that point, the spirit would leave him. It makes me wonder what music David was playing. I imagine it was a song of praise as David has written songs in the book of Psalms.

Is she too far gone for Jesus to reach her? Is she being tormented by the devil who is making her miserable? What lies does she tell herself? What will it take to have her acknowledge Jesus as her Lord and Savior? Will her sister be able to reach her heart or will someone else do it? What prayers need to be prayed?

I think we can all learn from Saul and David. When we allow disobedience to God to permeate our lives, we create a wedge preventing us from receiving God’s blessing. He may not allow a Spirit to torment us, but we may be miserable. Guilt has a way of doing that. On the other hand, when we follow God wholeheartedly and love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we have pleased the heart of God. It is then well with our soul.

Prayer

Lord, I praise you for being a God who is slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness and tender mercies. I ask your forgiveness for any sin that has prevented me from being in a close relationship with you. I thank you for loving me despite my disobedience and calling me back to you with love and grace, opening your arms and sweeping me into them so I don’t have to leave your embrace. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Kimberly Balles 2024

Baby Girl

As a baby you’ll hold her close to your chest
And love her so dearly you’ll wish her the best.
Toddling and preschool she’ll venture away
But you will go find her and see her at play.

She’ll want to be carried and be by your side
So picking her up you’ll give her a ride,
Above all the people, the noise, and the crowd
Your arms will bring safety, so don’t let her down.

She’ll want to play dress up, wear makeup, and stuff
Dollhouses too, will keep her busy enough
Drawing and coloring will bring her such fun
She’ll want you to join her so don’t go and run.

School will have adventures and friends
The sleepovers it seems they never will end.
As she grows up the phone is her friend
Girls and boys will be her focus then.

Curves and hormones will change her anew
Individuation then is part of it too.
Boys will call and ask for a date
She’ll be so excited and won’t want to wait.

Popularity will be her desire then
Maturity and wisdom will come in the end.
Someday she’ll marry and need your advice
Listening then is what you’ll provide.

Babies may come, a grandma you’ll be
You’ll hold them close and think fondly
Of days when you held her close to your side
And then there will be grand-babies to join in the ride.

so let her go and have her own life
God’s love will sustain her throughout all the strife.
For he has her close in the palm of his hand
Nothing will happen that’s not in His plan.

©Kimberly Balles 2006

Hands

Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas on Pexels.com
Hands that held me
As a newborn girl
Hands that picked me up
When I fell

Hands playing peek-a-boo
Causing a giggle
Maybe one or two
Along with a wiggle

Hands with arms
Embraced me in a hug
Hands that wiped 
My tears with love

Hands that washed 
My face each night
Hands that squeezed 
My hands real tight

Hands that cooked food
That was quite a sight
Hands that tucked me
In bed each night

Hands that taught me
How to pray
Hands that showed me
How to play

Hands that worked
Long hours each day
Hands that made meals
In a creative way 

Hands their words said
I love you
Hands showed me
The love for You

Hands that touched me
With such love
Hands that describe
My Mother above

©Kimberly Balles 2022

New Life

When I think of death, I think of it’s finality. We no longer see the person we love and experience their smile, their laughter, their joy, their heartache, their tears, their love, their personalities, and so much more. With death that ends and we grieve what we have lost. We grieve what is no more. We grieve what could have been if they were here. We lament and cry out to God, “Why did you have to take them?”. There is no answer that will satisfy.

I have been on that journey of grief since last August and even before then when my mom was no longer the person she used to be. Recently, I was thinking about heaven and what that would have been like for her to be there and it occurred to me that the day her body died and she went to heaven, she experienced a new date. The day she entered heaven was the day she experienced new and everlasting life.

I imagine God welcoming her in and he wipes the tears from her eyes and she sees how wonderful heaven is. My mom is rejoicing in heaven. She left this earth with all it’s worries, calamities, pain, fear, and catastrophic news to a place where there is nothing but pure joy.

So why can’t we rejoice in their ability to be free from this world’s struggles and their own struggles? Does this mean we stop grieving? By all means no. It can give us a new perspective though and new hope for the day when we will see them again and can experience life in heaven with all those who have gone before us. Then we can celebrate and worship our God and Savior forever.

Then we will hear Him say “Welcome Home! So glad you are here!” We will be with all the saints singing and praising God and my mother who was good at planning parties will be there to help plan the arrangements for our feast at the table. She may even be the one who shows me where I will be staying. Now that I can look forward to. The best part of all is our bodies will no longer be broken or confined and we will no longer feel the weight of our sin. We will be free indeed!

©Kimberly Balles 2021

Mourning Tears

The tears they flowed
Down my face
As one who grieved
Expressed her pain

I had no inkling 
Of the grief inside
It came as such a big surprise
Underneath my disguise

I sobbed so much
My heart was open
To let it go
The grief now spoken

Not in words
But in sobbing breath
I cried until
My tears were spent

I felt relief
I wasn't alone
Community was there
On the phone

They did not know 
The pain I bore
But they overheard
My crying there

I still am sad
My heart still mourns
But I look to God
My Savior, my Lord

He comforts me more 
Than anyone can
I hold onto
His outstreched hand

He reaches down
And scoops me up
I'm in his arms
And that's enough

Help me Lord
I'm weary here
I need your love
Now please draw near

He whispers to me
Like he usually does
There there my child
It's you I'm thinking of

I hold your tears 
In the palm of my hand
They're like a treasure
You find in the sand

I've dried your tears
Brushed them away
I'm with you always
Each and everyday

©Kimberly Balles 2021 All Rights Reserved.