Tim Toase, York

I don’t know about anyone else, but what first came to my mind with the thought of being stranded on a desert island was me, sitting on a beach with crystal clear waters lapping up on the shore, the sun beaming down with a gentle breeze; nothing short of tranquillity. Then I actually thought about it, and I’ve been placed on a ‘desert,’ ‘island’. Not so much tranquillity, but more like stifling heat and brutal conditions – stranded on an island. The situation is less about comfort but survival.

I don’t think the situation is so far removed from my life as a Christian. I have to grapple with the continual frustrations of life, boredom, my sinfulness, loneliness, difficulty in trusting God and what He has promised in His word, anxieties, etc. So, really, all I’m being asked to do here is give those verses from God’s word which especially sustain me in life and, therefore, on this hypothetical desert island of mine. I’ve found the verses I’d take with me to have stood the test of trials – albeit in varying degrees of trust.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?
 
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. Hebrews 1:1-2

These verses in Hebrews would have to go with me. They have and do cut through any confusion. What does God think about the situation I find myself in? What does God think I should do about the situation I find myself in? God has spoken; firstly by the prophets and now in these last days ‘to us by His Son.’ Needless to say, being stranded on a desert island would be confusing. Having these verses in Hebrews though would mean that I could (and can) know for sure that when I turn to God’s word it is He that has spoken, He who tells me how best to live in the situation I find myself. Unless I know God has spoken to me in His word, what use is there in taking any verse with me to the island? That in place, there are other verses that I’d take in my armoury.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:28-29

If I didn’t have Hebrews 1:1-2 as my foundation, and Romans 8:28 to bring clarity to the overarching reason for being a castaway on a desert island, it’d be easy for me to assume that my predicament was purely a random occurrence, pointless pain. But Romans 8:28, coupled with Hebrews 12:5-11, would assure me that I’d need to interpret and look at the situation from the vantage point of all these things happening for my good by a loving – disciplining – heavenly Father; a Father who gave up His Son for me. I’d reassure myself that my Father is using the situation to make me more like His Son, by His Holy Spirit. I don’t know how God would use the constant search for food in a desert environment and the need to somehow produce water, for my good, but this verse assures me that He would. Somehow, in His infinite wisdom and love, He would use it.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

In honesty, I’d forgotten the context of this verse, our Lord was talking about not worrying about the need of material things like food and clothing. The reason why this is next on the list is because, much like day to day life, life on a desert island would understandably be full of necessities and distractions, not to mention boredom and loneliness. But Jesus tells me to seek the Kingdom of God first and His righteousness. That would need to be my focus on the island – seek first.  This doesn’t mean I’d sit singing hymns making sand castles all day waiting for water to show up, I’d need to graft. God calls us to work (Genesis 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). In working for and seeking Him, I'd find my joy and delight. His Kingdom would need to be my trajectory and focus. It’s also possible I’d die on the island, so keeping God’s Kingdom as my focus would help me remember where I was heading; this life and world will pass away.

Which Christian from the past would you like to find on the island for company?

Tough question. It’s one thing reading what someone’s written, it’s another thing spending time with them. One of the early church fathers could be helpful; at least I could be stranded with more clarity (I’d hope). I’d ply Ignatius with plenty of questions about the apostle John’s teaching on various doctrines. But the person who comes to mind would be a Christian friend of mine who died a number of years ago. I know with them I could talk about the Lord and seek Him, and they’d encourage me to trust in God’s promises, not least by demonstrating trust themselves and by ‘addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart’.

Which song would you take to the island?

I don't have a favourite, but I don't think I'd get bored of singing Charles Wesley's 'Love divine, all loves excelling'. I think it'd help me remember gospel truths, as well as express and pray a range of thoughts and feelings. For pure adoration, 'Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art'. For trouble and difficulty on the island, ‘Breath, O breath Thy loving Spirit, into every troubled breast’. For Spirit-wrought desire to be more like Christ, ‘Take away the love of sinning’. For when I’m at the end of myself on the island, ‘Till in heaven we take our place’.

Love divine, all loves excelling,

Joy of Heaven, to earth come down,

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,

All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,

Pure, unbounded love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation,

Enter every trembling heart.

Breath, O breathe Thy loving Spirit

Into every troubled breast;

Let us all in Thee inherit,

Let us find Thy promised rest.

Take away the love of sinning,

Alpha and Omega be;

End of faith, as its beginning,

Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, almighty to deliver,

Let us all Thy grace receive;

Suddenly return, and never,

Nevermore Thy temples leave:

Thee we would be always blessing,

Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,

Pray, and praise Thee, without ceasing,

Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then Thy new creation,

Pure and spotless may we be;

Let us see our whole salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;

Changed from glory into glory,

Till in Heaven we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before Thee,

Lost in wonder, love and praise.