Yes, I know I am very late, but I have been catching up on all the Survivor Redemption Island episodes I have missed. The season is already over and I know who won-Boston Rob. Even though I know this, my heart still beats faster and I become tense while watching the challenges. I find myself rooting for certain people even though I know they are not going to win. The main guy I am rooting for is Matt Elrod...or as Boston Rob says...Matty. There is something different about Matt. In the midst of all of the tension and strife, he holds on to his faith in God and stands strong in Him while desiring to bring Him glory. Matt says he was put on Survivor for a reason. Voted out twice and sent to Redemption Island two times, he still fights. He won
multiple challenges on Redemption Island bringing him back into the game of Survivor before getting blindsided and voted off for a second time. One of the girls who was voted off and joined him on this island had the privilege to receive one of her luxury items- a Bible. After Matt beat her in the challenge which determined who would stay in the game, she gave him her Bible. Matt was thrilled to have the pink Bible in his hands.
Soon after, Matt won another challenge and was allowed back with the tribe into the real game. While sitting at camp, one of his tribe members picked up the pink Bible and started reading it.
"Whatcha reading over there?" Matt asked.
"Matthew...where Jesus escapes to Egypt." His tribe member responded.
Matt and his buddy started talking. Matt seemed so excited to have a Bible while on Survivor. He was physically hungry, but God's Word provided him with strength and peace. He not only reads it but desires to live by every word. This is evident by how he tries to play the game with honesty.
What if I didn't have a Bible for a while? What if you didn't? Would I miss it? Would you desire it? It saddens my heart to think I have gone days and days in college without picking up the Word of God. Reading the Bible sometimes seems like a chore and sometimes seems dry. I may be too tired or just want to go have fun with my friends. Wow. I'm convicted. TV shows, friends, computer, and even school many times come before God. In the morning I may shrug off spending time with God and think...oh, I can just spend time with Him tonight. Then boom...time is gone, and it is late. Everyday I want to be like a (spiritually) hungry Survivor castaway that soaks up God's precious Words. Everyday I want to be so grateful for God's forgiveness and grace that I can't cease praising Him.
I feel like a spoiled brat sometimes...expecting God's forgiveness and love. I don't want to take His grace for granted. I want to serve and love the Lord with all of my heart, all of my soul, and ALL of my strength. I don't want to serve Him with half of my heart and strength. I want to give Him
everything I have. He has done SO much for me...too much. The least I could do is love Him with my whole heart...not 25%...not 50%...but 100%. One hundred percent surrendered. Is that too much to ask from someone? After a Man...Who is 100% God and 100% man...came to this earth, went through
every single trial and temptation that is known to man, became a servant, stayed silent while He was spit upon, beaten, whipped, had his skin torn off, had thorns pushed into His head, had His beard ripped out, was stripped of His clothes, hung on a cross, suffocated while hanging there, and the worst of it....bore
every sin of
every person who ever has and ever will walk the face of this earth...bore
every single one of my sins and
every single one of yours...who lived His life for
you...and died
for you. No. He didn't have to...
He wanted to. My eyes are getting watery. How much time I have wasted...when I could have been spending time with the One with His arms spread far apart...waiting...just waiting...that maybe one day He would get His child back. He hasn't given up on me, and He definitely hasn't given up on you. No one on the face of this earth can ever comprehend His unfathomable love. If we only knew how much He loved us...if we only knew...we would be shocked.
Do you desire a family some day? Some children? Why? Well, God wanted a family too.
Would it break your heart to see your children decide they don't want you anymore...and to see them turn their backs and leave you...never to talk to you again? God's heart is wrenched in two to see His children turn away from Him. And by "His children" I mean everyone who was ever conceived. Some decide they want Him, while others decide they don't want Him in their life. Others decide life is too much fun...they don't want to deal with God yet.
It is not too late. The One who gave everything away...for you...is standing right next to you with His arms open wide.
Lord, help me to hunger for You and Your Word like someone stranded on an island for days...help me to be desperate for You...let a fire burn intensely in my heart for You...give me a revelation of Your love...make me sold out for You. Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayer. I love you Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
