I’ve had some thoughts ruminating in my mind the last couple of weeks and the biggest thought I keep going back to is the idea of being tethered to something. I looked up the word “tethered” in the dictionary as I was curious as to how many definitions there are. The one that is appropriate for this post is: a line to which someone or something is attached (as for security). (I guess you can count this as my word of the week post!)
Last Saturday as I was driving to a memorial service an hour away, I decided to listen to a podcast. It is called, “Just Listen To Yourself” and the host is a Kira Davis. I’ve followed Kira for a while and appreciate her podcast and her approach to taking arguments to their logical conclusion. I decided to listen to the latest episode titled, “The Sin of Empathy with Dr. Joe Rigney.” I found the episode to be very informative and it is definitley worth listening to. I will link it below, if you’d like to listen to it.
One of the things that Dr. Rigney said on the episode has stayed with me and I have shared with a couple of people about the episode wanting to better understand what I heard from the conversation. I am going to paraphrase what he said… when empathy is not tethered in reality, that it is when it becomes destructive. Hence my thoughts on being tethered!
I had a conversation with my friend Kris and my dad about this idea of not being tethered to reality or morality. While talking with them about this idea of being tethered I pictured myself standing on solid ground, with my feet being firmly planted, while all around me were things pulling or tugging on me. I realized even more that this idea of being tethered to both reality and to my faith is very important.
I tend to watch and observe what is going on around me before I wade into the murky waters of many situations. I want to make sure I am tethered to my faith and not just jumping headlong into something that is not going to be beneficial to me or others. Oftentimes I am calculating the risks before I make a move.
Yesterday, at church my pastor essentially said the same thing about being tethered to God’s word. I am so thankful that each day I spend time reading and studying the Bible. I knew during the message that I wanted to share about how we need to be tethered not only to reality, but to the truth in God’s word. The illustration that my pastor used was that of a boat that is not tethered to a dock and how that boat will drift away from where it should be.
My desire is that I stay firmly grounded in the Word of God and that no matter what this life throws my way, I know that I am tethered to the source of my strength and guidance. I find security in being tethered to God’s Word. There is a peace and a trust that God is in control.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you stay tethered to God’s Word?