“If you were stranded on an island and could have just one book, what would it be?”
This was the question posed to theologian, apologist, philosopher, and literary savant, G.K. Chesterton. His response, well it surprised the audience who was expecting some sort of spiritual or literary-minded response. Here’s how Chesterton answered the question -
“Why, A Practical Guide to Shipbuilding.”
I love this! In many ways, his response is so simple and so practical and so lighthearted, but knowing what I know about G.K. Chesterton, his response reflected something much deeper than this.
In short, Chesterton would not want to be stranded on an island by himself… and if he was, he’d want a resource to help get him off the island.
I wonder if some of you reading these words right now have been on a ‘metaphorical stranded island’ for so long that you can no longer envision anything other than what has become, well, your island. And rather than longing for a ‘manual’ of sorts to guide you off the island, you’ve grown content to just make life as comfortable as possible on this ‘metaphorical island.’
Maybe this ‘metaphorical island’ for you would be called sadness, or anxiety, addiction, confusion, despair, anger, stress, or just maybe, it would simply be an island called: stuck. Whatever the name of your ‘metaphorical island’ would be, here’s what I wanted you to know…
YOU DON’T HAVE TO STAY THERE ANY LONGER
I know for me, there have been many times where SADNESS was the island I thought I was destined to live on with no way off. Well, the truth I needed to remind myself often of was simply this…
I DON’T HAVE TO STAY THERE ANY LONGER
To be clear, this is NOT some sort of self-help message or pep talk for you today… not at all. Rather, I’m convinced that the life God has invited you and I to live is one that compels those around us to see our Creator… a life that compels those around us to see Christ.
And here’s the beauty of this compelling life we’ve been invited to live… God has given us a resource to get there. In other words, ‘a practical guide to shipbuilding’ has been placed in our hands with God’s Word.
This Sunday, we begin a journey through what many have called, the most ‘practical book’ in the Bible. A book… really, a letter that encourages, equips, and empowers Jesus followers in ‘how’ to live a life well lived.
Our journey through James begins this Sunday!
Thanking God in advance for ALL He has in store for us as we learn together how to live A LIFE WELL LIVED.
