It was a beautiful day at the beach. My buddy and I were boogie-boarding, catching waves and enjoying the warm sunlight. After riding several waves, we floated in the water to catch our breath. To our surprise, we had drifted much further down the beach than we realized. The current was far stronger than we thought, and we decided to begin the long walk back.
As we exited the water and walked down the beach, my friend remarked on how crazy it was that we'd drifted so far without even realizing it. His comments got me thinking then and now about how a similar thing happens on dry land. Our attention can wander, and our direction can begin to drift very easily. My mentor once warned me of the danger of drifting when he said, "Scott, you never drift into the life you want."
Jon Reddick confesses his struggle with drifting in his new song, "I Choose You." Coming on the heels of popular songs like "No Fear" and "God Turn It Around," Reddick's newest song opens with an admission of spiritual drifting:
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"Lord, I confess my attention has wandered from you
My heart needs a course correction
Back to what it's true"
Reddick's childhood included some rough experiences, and God used difficult conversations to awaken him and lead him back to his faith. Later in the song, Reddick describes Jesus as the only one who satisfies amidst the many places where he's looked for satisfaction.
Reddick's first verse and chorus evoke the well-known story of the wayward son in Luke 15. The son takes his inheritance and squanders it on wild living in a distant land, only to find himself without any money or food. The experience of longing for the pigs' slop wakes the son up, revealing how far off course he's become. This beloved story ends with an incredible reunion, as his father had been watching for his return—a powerful picture of God's rejoicing when we choose Him and return to Him.
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We convince ourselves we can run from God. We even use phrases to describe how our distraction can cause us to drift from God's presence. However, that's not David's experience in Psalm 139:
"I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me."
It's God's faithfulness that brings Reddick back to a simple refrain: "God, I choose you." Many people can tell you about their story of deciding to follow Jesus, but we must renew that decision, as we face countless distractions and lesser saviors. Choosing Jesus is bigger than a single decision in our lives. Author Lysa TerKeurst writes, "Our decisions point our lives in the direction we're about to head."
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So, what direction is your life headed today? Is it possible that, like my friend and I, you have drifted far from where you intended to be? You may need a course correction. The good news is "there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). No one loves you like Jesus, and no one is waiting for your return like your Father.
Your first step might be simply admitting you've wandered off. Your second step might be listening to "I Choose You" and making it your prayer, as God's grace enables you to begin running back to Him.
I pray you are encouraged by the love and faithfulness of our God!
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps people transform difficult circumstances into places where they can thrive. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona, and loves watching movies with his wife and three kids. You can begin Scott’s life-changing project, The 21-Day Gratitude Challenge, today.
