Trystan Hallam, Tredegar

Although my wife sometimes comments that I live in a world of my own – with my head in the clouds – I don’t think life on a desert island would be for me. It would be ok for a little while – but there are only so many coconuts that you can eat. I’d miss my wife, my children, Tredegar and Bethel Baptist – not to mention my dog who’s my running partner. After all, ‘no man is an island’; God has created us for himself and to share himself with others.

But however, if the pirate, Captain Hywel George captured me on his ship HMS Heddwen, and gave me a choice to walk the plank or enslavement on a desert island, I’d choose the desert island. I’d be very grateful to take some Bible verses with me, a gem of a person from Welsh Christian history and a song (or two!) that I could sing and listen to.

Which verses would you take to the island?

Why can’t I take the whole Bible? Even Radio 4 allows you to do that. But who am I to argue? There is one verse which springs to mind straight away:

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

This verse is very precious to me, for I’ve experienced God’s keeping in days of trouble. Over fifteen years ago I was severely ill with testicular cancer and then clinical depression. In many ways it was like being washed up on a rugged desert island. Yet, I wasn’t deserted. God in His great mercy kept me safe, and at times visited me with his presence that I would not have experienced in times of bright sunshine and calm.

It is finished. John 19:30

The second verse I would take would be the Lord Jesus’ words on the cross. Life for the Christian is sometimes like being on a desert island – having been washed up, bashed and cut on the rocks, then landed all alone, disorientated on a desert island. When things are difficult, we ask: why? Is God punishing me for some sin? Whilst asking these questions on the desert island I would remember the Lord Jesus’ words “It is finished.” Whilst God might be discipling me through difficult circumstances, teaching me the path of holiness, I would remind myself that I’m not being punished, facing God’s wrath. The Lord Jesus took God’s wrath in my place on the cross. “It is finished!”

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

Captain George of the HMS Heddwen says I can’t take my wife, kids, not even my dog! It must a figure from history. So, I would be more than willing to settle for William Williams Pantycelyn the Welsh hymn writer, preacher, poet, and instrument of God’s blessing in Wales in the 18^th Century. I can remember being on a residential County Choir course in my teens which was held in Llandovery. On that course I rebelled! Not like my peers, who spent most of the evenings in the local pubs. No, I woke up early one morning and decided to walk to Williams’ grave which is in a Church graveyard on the edge of Llandovery. Please don’t tell the course organisers, because they never found out!

Williams Pantycelyn’s gift, amongst many other things, was marrying Biblical truth with true Christian experience. Read, and sing his hymns and you’ll see what I mean. Because I could be a long time on that island, I think learning at the feet of Williams would be a treat. It’s also been said he was also good company, gifted with a delightful sense of humour.

Which song would you like to take to the island?

Well, I have been cunning. Because by having Williams Pantycelyn on the island, I would have a Christian jukebox sitting next to me!  There are so many of his hymns that have helped me over the years. Perhaps one of my favourites is one of his simplest hymns:

Rwy’n dewis Iesu a’I farwol glwy

Yn frawd a phriod i mi mwy

Ef yn arweinydd, Ef yn ben,

I’m dwyn o’r byd i’r nefoedd wen.

I’m afraid you’ll have to learn Welsh to understand what it means. It’s worth learning Welsh just to be able sing Pantycelyn – not to mention Ann Griffiths! Come to the desert island and we’ll have lessons together!

I’d also like to take a song that the modern singer/songwriter Nicole C. Mullen sings: I know my Redeemer lives. The song captures Job’s angst and hope in equal measure; a hope that is fulfilled of course in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Well with that, I’m off. Because I think I can see a ship’s mast on the horizon with a skull and bones banner hovering above the crow’s nest.