The Castaways
By Dan Betzer

When you feel shipwrecked in life, remember God has a rescue ship on the way for you.

The apostle Paul used the word "castaway." It referred to serving the Lord all of his life, being on the front line, and then, at the end of his days, becoming useless to the Kingdom of God.

Many Americans have seen the Tom Hanks film Cast Away, a modern-day Robinson Crusoe saga of a man who survives a plane crash and lives alone for years on a remote island.

Surviving is something we all face from time to time. I think of my friend Ken, who just lost his precious and extremely beautiful wife Betty. They had been married for nearly fifty years, and even before marriage, they were buddies from grade school on.

He has truly crashed into a dark, relentless sea of loneliness. Surviving for him will be tough.

I think of others who have gone through disappointment or disillusionment. Shortly after Darlene and I were married (oh, that's been nearly a half-century ago!), we made a move that we knew God had put upon our hearts.

We lost everything we had -- possessions, a whole lot of folks we thought were our friends, and even a beloved association with a ministry. We were as alone as you can be; castaways to most people.

I remember we prayed one night, "Lord, we know we are in your will. Please help us not to get bitter over this situation. There must be a plan!"

Many times, in looking back on those long-ago days, we have observed that it was the best thing that ever happened to us. The ordeal enabled us to emerge from a binding cocoon and to fly as monarch butterflies. We never could have had the life we have had without that "castaway" experience.

I reach out to encourage you today, dear friend. Your world may seem desolate and hopeless today. I believe there's a rescue ship on the way.

What a story you'll have to tell as you fly up and away to new victories!

cbn