Island of despair

 

This man was shipwrecked on a desert island. He was the only survivor when his ship went down. He gathered a few debris floating on the surface of the water and just managed to land on the beach. Tired, exhausted, cold and gasping for breath.

A few hours later he regained consciousness. He found amongst the floating wreck a few planks of wood to help him make a hut covered with leaves and branches; and a few bits and pieces belonging to the crew. 

Having struggled to build a place where he could shelter, he spent the rest of the night there, totally exhausted. The next morning he got up and started to search for food; anything that was available, berries, fruits or whatever else looked edible and safe. Most of all, he needed fresh water. He picked up a couple of containers he'd found amongst the floating debris and went inland in search of water. 

He was exhausted. He stumbled several times under the scorching sun. He was walking aimlessly not knowing where he was going and whether he would find any food or drink. 

Eventually, he discovered a small stream where he drank his fill and replenished his two containers.

He returned slowly to his hut carefully not to spill a drop of his precious life-saving liquid.

When he got there he found his hut totally burnt down. He could not understand how this happened. Maybe the hot sun had lit some dry grass used as the roof cover, or perhaps the sun-rays shone through the magnifying glass he'd found amongst the debris. Something had lit the fire and his shelter was no more.

He dropped to his knees spilling all the water and sobbed his heart out. He prayed to God in despair. Why had He abandoned him so? Does He not really care.

As he was lying face down in the sand he heard the sound of a ship's horn in the distance. He looked up, and a rescue boat was rowing towards him.

The ship had seen the smoke from the burning hut and had sent a boat to investigate.

Remember that when things go wrong for you. You may well despair. You may even cease to trust God. But perhaps He is signalling someone to come to your aid.