Conrad Mbewe, Lusaka, Zambia

At different stages of my life, different passages of Scripture have been my meat and drink. So, in choosing which verses I would take with me on this desert island, I would opt for those verses that the Lord is currently using in my life to make me more like Jesus. After all, that’s all that really matters in this short earthly journey… even if one is marooned on an island. O, to be like Jesus!

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:3-8

I would want to go with Titus 3:3–8 because it is one of the best summaries of God’s way of salvation. It states (1) how I was before I was saved, (2) how the Lord saved me and (3) how he expects me to live as his child. This fills me with unquenchable gratitude for the grace that makes me who I am today. It also fills me with courage to live with hope for the glory of God in whatever circumstances I find myself. This passage is concentrated milk and honey, all in one.

Who would you like to find on the island for company?

I would want to find Paul Kasonga on this desert island. He was the first indigenous Baptist leader in my country (Zambia) and still remains largely unknown to the wider Christian world. His original name was Kaputula Kasonga when he first showed up at the fledgling Baptist mission to join the boys’ school around 1916. By 1921 he had converted to Christ and was given the name of Paul at his baptism. This was partly because of the leprosy he suffered from, that was seen as the thorn in his flesh. In due season it robbed him of his fingers and toes and left him totally dependent on a wheelchair to get around. By 1931 he had become the acknowledged leader of the entire mission. He was only finally ordained as a pastor by the South Africa Baptist Mission (SABM) in July 1953 and he died a year later in August 1954. The Lord used Paul’s suffering to teach him the deep truths of the faith at a level that very few people knew. The Lord also gifted him with a way with words that made him an extraordinary preacher. I would want to sit at the feet of such a man on a lonely desert island and learn the precious lessons he had learned in the crucible of affliction. 

Which song would you take to the island?

The song that I would want to take with me to the island is, “O how the grace of God amazes me” Emmanuel T Sibomana (1915–1975); an African pastor in Burundi wrote the hymn. Like the passage of Scripture quoted above, it summarises the saving grace of God in a most moving way. I would want to spend my time with Paul marvelling at the unsearchable riches of Christ in our salvation!

O how the grace of God amazes me!

It loosed me from my bonds and set me free!

What made it happen so?

‘Twas His will, this much I know,

Set me, as now I show, at liberty.

My God has chosen me, though one of naught,

To sit beside my King in heaven's court.

Hear what my Lord has done,

O, the love that made Him run

To meet His erring son. This has God wrought!

Not for my righteousness, for I have none,

But for His mercy's sake, Jesus, God's Son,

Suffered on Calvary's tree;

Crucified with thieves was He;

Great was His grace to me, His wayward one.

And when I think of how, at Calvary,

He bore sin's penalty instead of me,

Amazed, I wonder why He,

The sinless One, should die

For one so vile as I; My Saviour He!

Now all my heart's desire is to abide

In Him, my Saviour dear, in Him to hide,

My shield and buckler He,

Cov'ring and protecting me;

From Satan's darts I'll be safe at His side.

Lord Jesus, hear my prayer, Your grace impart;

When evil thoughts arise through Satan's art,

O, drive them all away

And do Thou, from day to day,

Keep me beneath Thy sway, King of my heart.

Come now, the whole of me—eyes, ears, and voice.

Join me, creation all, with joyful noise:

Praise Him who broke the chain

Holding me in sin's domain

And set me free again. Sing and rejoice!