While sandy beaches, palm trees, and tropical drinks come to mind when you think of island living, I want to take you to a particular island that one of Jesus’ disciples had to endure. It was far from what you envision. Think about your own faith journey as you read today’s story.
John, the last survivor of Jesus’ disciples, was confident and bold in his teachings about the Savior of the world. As usual, people hated John’s message. It’s ironic that in a few weeks, we are going to celebrate the birth of Christ, and people still hate the message of hope and salvation through Him. People wanted John silenced. They tried but God saved him. So, they sent him to an island, a barren island to be all alone.
While it appears that God left John in the hands of the world, He most certainly did not. Go ahead and read Revelation 1:9-20 to learn the most wonderful, intimate ways that God met His beloved in a stark, silent, lonely place.
How about your faith journey? Are you currently in a hard place where it’s just you and Jesus (no one is allowed to hang out with you), or have you once been in one and God has delivered you from it? Every one of God’s children will face island living that will challenge what you believe, stretch you beyond your own understanding, and make you choose to either receive or reject what God has for you.
John could have rejected Christ after all that he went through, but he didn’t. He kept his faith intact, even in the most harshest situations. And God met Him. John was never alone on the island of Patmos. There, John penned the book of Revelation. God revealed the future so we can know, today, what is coming down the road. God uses His children in all situations, good and bad, to bring about His plan of salvation.
Island living is generally a lonely time, away from other people. God will separate you to teach, mature, and strengthen you for your next mission. I have been experiencing island living for 7+ years now. God is revealing so much to me, and He has bound my tongue from speaking about it for now. One day, things will come to fruition and I believe He will have a story for me to share. I can so relate to John in these verses. How God led John, He has led me the same way.
Amidst the suffering that John has endured in the name of Jesus, he developed patient endurance to stay the course and follow the Spirit’s leading. Notice what John was doing in verse 10, it was the Lord’s Day so John was worshiping in the Spirit. When life throws your curve balls, do you remain abiding in Christ? Sad to say, but I grumble or get a bit irritated and God has to redirect my wrong thinking. Will God find you faithful even in hard, unappealing circumstances?
God calls every one of His children to a never-ending worship party that lasts every moment of their day.
Take note of what happens next. Jesus speaks to John. He speaks clearly and tells John what he is to do. Even in isolation, God has work for you to do. The greatest work you can accomplish in your day is to spend time in the presence of God learning and growing in your faith. Don’t let the trappings of a worldly to-do list or peer pressure from others keep you busy doing the wrong thing. You are made to worship Christ.
Jesus’ presence knocked John off his feet! Can you imagine when you (and I) will stand in His presence one day? Will you be full of thankfulness for what He has done for you or will you arrive expecting God to let you into heaven? Be careful of your heart.
“But, He laid His right hand on me.”17
Your Savior and Lord will do the same with you. By His touch, He will help you to see how real He is. Let verse 18 reside deep within your heart. As you take in truths from the Bible, thinking often of them, the Holy Spirit will give you deep understanding and clarity of what is going on as you dwell on your island. For me, it is quite unbelievable the clarity that God has given me with what He is having me go through these past 7+ years. He is having me face my fears, and through it all, He has been with me and I know He will never leave me. He is preparing me for my next mission, whatever that may be.
No matter how long you have been living on island time, God is with you and He has a purpose for this season. Wait patiently and endure with thankfulness that God has chosen you for such a time as this. It will be worth it when you hear from Christ, “Well done, my faithful servant. You are home.”
Carol J German 