We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1, NIV

Years ago, I sat through a lengthy leadership conference and walked away with a two-word reality that has stuck with me since:  Vision leaks.  A leader can cast vision effectively and compellingly, but clarity about that vision fades all too quickly without constant care and attention.  Along similar lines, the President and CEO of HOPE International Peter Greer coined the phrase "mission drift" and co-authored a book with that very title after researching faith-based organizations that were originally established with a clear, compelling mission but had eventually turned far from what they were created to do.  Drifting away from our original purpose or initial vision is a prevalent phenomenon not just among organizations but in our individual spiritual journeys as well.  None of us are immune to this tendency to slowly, subtly lose sight of God's calling and hope.  So what can we do to stay anchored in our divinely appointed purpose and God's vision for our lives?  Let me share three things from the book of Hebrews to which we ought to give "the most careful attention" (Heb. 2:1, NIV).

GOD'S WORD

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1, NIV

When the apostle Paul points believers' attention to "what we have heard," he's directing us to the Word of God and its capacity to produce in us a steadfast faith (cf. Rom. 10:17). The reality is, however, that hearing Bible truth once isn’t always enough to generate the kind of faith that corresponds to life change and alignment with God.  

To have that kind of experience requires being immersed in the Word, a continual hearing of the Word that results in a continual doing of it.  

According to Jesus' own teaching, what sets true, genuine disciples apart is the habit of abiding in His Word (Jn. 8:31).  True disciples consistently give heed to God's Word, cling to it as "the words of eternal life" (Jn. 6:68), and treasure it "more than [our] necessary food" (Job 23:12).  Question to consider:  do I have a plan to daily feed on God's Word?  Do we carve out time to daily hear the Word so we can daily live the Word?  When we don't, we drift.  But when we stay anchored in the Word of God, we'll remain grounded in God and His purpose for our lives.

GOD'S SON

"...and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV.

The more I spend time giving careful attention to the Word of God, the more I realize that it points me to the Son of God.  Over the years, my Bible reading has become so much more than understanding information or hearing good stories.  It has turned into a daily experience of beholding Jesus (cf. Jn. 5:39) -- beholding who He is, what He has done, and what He has in store for me today.  

So how does this guard us from drifting?  According to Hebrews 12:1-2, the steadfastness of our faith is contingent upon our capacity to behold the Author and Finisher of our faith. Interestingly, the Greek term here translated as "looking" literally means looking away from all else.  It's the kind of intense focus that has refused all other possibilities and chosen to behold Jesus alone...and more specifically to look exclusively to Jesus as both the one who starts our faith and completes it too.  We have this strange tendency to trust in Jesus' merits alone for the gift of forgiveness at the onset of our faith journey, but then we presume to trust in ourselves to take it from there as if we are able to make ourselves holy.  Friends, that is not the gospel of God's grace.  When we shift our focus from the Savior and to ourselves, we drift.  But when we refuse to look to anyone or anything else besides Jesus to author and finish our faith, we endure.  

GOD'S CHURCH

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works..." Hebrews 10:23-24, NKJV.

Paul gives us one more focal point to consider in order to stay the course of our spiritual journey:  one another.  While the exercise of faith in Jesus is an individual choice, our capacity to sustain that faith is impacted by those around us.  One of the best ways we can guard against mission drift in our lives is by taking notice of others in the body of Christ, coming close to those God has placed around us, and being intentional to cultivate friendships of faith.  Yes, this requires effort and deliberateness.  In our hurry and hustle, it feels easier to relationally disengage and fixate on our own agendas.  

It may not be convenient to seek out meaningful connection and invest interest in others' well-being, but it's part of Paul's prescription for holding fast to our hope "without wavering" (Heb. 10:23).  

We may have to rearrange our calendars and step out of our comfort zones so we don't neglect "the assembling of ourselves together" (v. 25), but the connections and encouragement we can mutually give and receive in our gatherings is vital to our spiritual steadfastness, "and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (v. 25).  Let's not underestimate our need and others' need for our efforts to connect personally, hear each other's stories, and build one another's faith.

Spiritual drift may be a prevalent tendency, but it doesn't have to be our trajectory.  Let's stay anchored in God's purpose for our lives as we abide daily in His Word, look exclusively to Jesus to start and finish our faith, and invest relational energy to build Christ-centered friendships.