Anchor for My Soul

“I have this hope

As an anchor for my soul

Through every storm

I will hold to You

With endless love

All my fear is swept away

In everything

I will trust in You” 

-Hillsong Worship

This is just one example of how a worship song elegantly portrays the symbolism of an anchor in the lyrics. I often hear worship songs with an “anchor” , a metaphor or representation of holding onto God, but wanted to learn more about what that means. Besides the occasional  fishing analogy on Father’s Day, I did not really think of God’s hope as an anchor for my soul. Isn’t an anchor supposed to keep you in one spot: unmoving, slowing you down, dragging you along? 

The main verse in the Bible that I found about anchors is Hebrews 6: 19-20, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” 

If I had to guess, this is probably where most of the worship songwriters get the spark for the rest of their lyrics . After doing a little research about anchors (exciting research topic, right? But stay with me) I learned that they date back centuries. People used large rocks or baskets filled with stones secured with rope to make sure their boat stayed where it was safe. Later, in the 19th century, anchors were made out of  iron and shaped into that iconic T-shape/ hook that we all drew in elementary art class. The hook is supposed to dig into the sea bottom and secure the boat from drifting away. The anchor is much smaller than the boat, but is still relied on to take the weight of waves and winds trying to carry the boat in another direction.  Most of the time you cannot see the anchor working to hold your boat steady. When you need to sail somewhere else, you don’t cut the rope (or chain) attached to the anchor, you hoist it up out of the water and take it with you.

The symbolism of an anchor can be seen in other places besides Christian music, but usually the meaning is still related to stability, connection, and being supportive. In relation to God’s care for us and being an “anchor for the soul,” think of the descriptions mentioned above and the history of anchors. Anchors have changed in how they look, but not in the function. God’s steadfastness might look different in your life than it did before, but the purpose is still the same. An anchor is lowered into the water and sinks into the murky bottom to make sure the boat doesn’t go anywhere it shouldn’t. God gave up His Son for us to die on the cross and take our sins so that we could choose salvation and not go where we shouldn’t. The anchor’s size and weight isn’t intended to make the boat sink, but is designed in perfect proportion to what the boat needs in order to keep it from floating away. Did you know you were designed by God to be in relation with Him? Yeah! No matter how big or small you feel, God knows what you need in order to help you feel secure in His love. When the winds are beating against the sails and the waves are rocking the boat, the anchor is doing its job under the water, unseen from the surface, protecting the boat from crashing into shore. God’s work sometimes isn’t seen from where we are at in life at the time. Maybe you lost a job and don’t see how He could let this happen. Maybe you have been praying for a friend for years and don’t see God changing anything in their life. When it is hard to understand where God is, try to think of how an anchor works better underwater instead of out of the water. And lastly, when the waves have died down and you need to move your boat again, bring the anchor up out of the water and take it with you as you sail on. Don’t cut God off when you “don’t need Him anymore” because keeping a relationship with God means taking Him with you in every situation. 

Acts 27:29, “ And fearing we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for the day to come.” 

Remember the purpose, design, and history of the anchor. Remember the symbolism in the lyrics of worship songs when “an anchor for my soul” resonates in your heart. Remember that God is always with you in the boat or working unseen to keep your boat steady.