Luke Crawford, Ontario, Canada

While I may never experience being a castaway on a desert island, life often brings adverse experiences that remind me of my desperate need for God. In these moments, God not only demonstrates his faithfulness through the truth of his Word and the provision of his Spirit, but he actively transforms me into the likeness of Christ through experiences of loss, pain, or abandonment. With this in mind, I have shared some foundational Scriptures that have anchored my life in surrender, perseverance, hope, and joy.

Which verses would you take to the island?

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Psalm 86:11-13

When I was fifteen, God used this text to change the entire trajectory of my life. My heart was corrupted by sin, my allegiance was to selfish pleasure. In his mercy God convicted me, opened my heart to the supreme worth of Jesus Christ, and invited me into the lifelong mission of making my life a hymn of exaltation to Him. Since then, this text has daily served as my prayer of devotion, purpose, and declaration of commitment. Every season of life offers joys and challenges - whether that be personal loss, adverse circumstances, or abandonment on a desert island - which invite me to renew my commitment to Christ and walk in surrender to his truth, godly fear, earnest worship, and grateful faith.

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58

I have the privilege of serving as a Youth Pastor in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. High School is a complex, messy time for young people. I have a front row seat to beautiful moments of personal growth and brutal moments of immaturity in the lives of several dozen teens. Moreover, I join other ministers, medical professionals, counsellors and the like on the front lines of this generation’s struggle with mental health – a reality in which death is often considered a good solution. This scripture passage anchors me in the victory of Christ over our greatest enemies – sin and death – and the hope of eternal life. It calls me to persevere when discouraged, to pray in faith when helpless, and to give my best in declaring that the kingdom of God has come through Christ.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:20-22

Like many of you, I have an intimate experience of tragic loss. Specifically, the suicide of a friend in 2013. The emotional journey of grieving the suicide of a loved one is akin to having your heart ripped from your chest; you are at once overwhelmed by excruciating pain and crippling numbness. Tragedy powerfully reduced me from an outwardly confident person to an inwardly broken man. Yet through this trial, Psalm 33:20-22 became my daily, moment by moment prayer, a declaration of trust in the one true Source of hope, my haven amidst the storm of death’s destruction.

This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

I love that God redeems our most painful circumstances; turning what is broken into something beautiful. Being a castaway on an island would be a painful reality, but one in which God is still actively working to forge in me the character of his Son. This text reminds me that, if I will walk in surrender, God will use every experience – especially hardship –to glorify His name in me. It is both an encouraging reminder, and a blessing to speak over whomever I journey through life with – or call my neighbour on an abandoned island.

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

I would hope to find the Olympic Gold Medallist, Missionary, and Chariots of Fire hero Eric Liddell on the island. Lidell’s life is an inspiring testimony of faithfulness, excellence, and godly surrender. His companionship, character, and experience of joyfully navigating life in a Japanese World War II concentration camp would be a huge gift while stranded on an island.

Which song would you like to take to the island?

Recently the song The Lord is My Salvation by Keith and Kristyn Getty has deeply encouraged my heart, especially in the face of adversity. It’s a strong reminder that God has redeemed my life in Christ, journeys with me in hardship, and promises abundant, forever life with him. His greatness is unparalleled, and the glorious reality of what he has done through Christ is too incredible for me to comprehend. No matter what I face, I can’t lose with Christ as my Saviour and King.