In Hebrews, The Lord calls upon believers of the faith to remember their anchor.
So it was somewhat ironic when the Virginia Beach Boat Church started its sixth summer to a wonderful sermon by doctor and reverend Paul Hardy.
“Every boat has an anchor,” Hardy said from a pontoon boat beached at the Narrows in Lynnhaven Inlet.
“It keeps us grounded and keeps us in the right place.
“It’s also our salvation. Jesus is our anchor.”
Several hundred worshippers, either on boats or sitting on the sand, listened to Hardy use his mastery of speaking and faith – with a few humorous antidotes mixed in – to relate boat anchors to the lives of God’s followers.
In The Bible, the term anchor is used often as a metaphor to represent God and faith.
Arguably, the best-known passage using the term is in Hebrews 6, where it is written that: “we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hardy saw it the same way.
“Anchors represent hope in God’s promises,” he said.
On the Sunday morning of Memorial Day weekend, his sermon seemed to have more relevance than ever.
As several hundred listened on, Hardy continued to go back to the word, often in light-hearted ways that came both from his personality and 50 years of experience spreading The Word.
A motorcycle enthusiast, Hardy is the founder and director of Iron Horse Fellowship and several other faith-based organizations.
Various local pastors will take turns sharing their thoughts on faith during the Boat Church season.
On Sunday, many in the crowd sat with friends, spouses, children – even their dogs – in a representation of joy. Free coffee and biscuits were handed out to those in need or simply a little hungry.
As a fantastic sun beamed down on everyone, many in the audience gathered at the edge of the water to pray and except God as their savior.
They had found their anchor.
To say it was a marvelous start to Boat Church’s season would be an enormous understatement.
None on the beach or in their boats ever slipped away.
Their anchors held them securely in place.
Services are held at 10 a.m. where the water meets the sand at the end of Virginia Beach’s 64th Street in First Landing State Park at 10 a.m. They’ll continue until the beginning of September.
If you attend by car, parking is $10. Annual passes are $40 for seniors and $80 for regular parking.
More information can be found at https://boatchurchvb.com/about/
To read more of my work, go to: leetolliveroutdoors.com
