I would like to be Robinson Crusoe, minus the part how he got on the island. Yes, I would try it for a month… or maybe a day or two. The story of the resourceful castaway having to build his own cabin from scrap, raising crops from a handful of barley and defending himself against all odds is a fine read for sure, read it a couple of times.
Even though the 1719 novel by Daniel Defoe is riveting and chock full of surprises, it is the hero’s willingness, and indeed ability to live in the moment that makes the classic such compelling reading. In the fictive world of antiheroes and superheroes and all kinds of desperados and villains it is refreshing to find a character who is not into navel gazing (or chewing the scenery). Crusoe is plain heroic, understated and overachieving at once.
He is also a Christian, who immerses himself in the Bible. It is the character’s newly built faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that gives him the repentance, the deliverance and the encouragement to go on. There are many pages I could quote, that encapsulate the universal Christian conversion in frank, timeless terms.
July 4.—In the morning I took the Bible; and beginning at the New Testament, I began seriously to read it, and imposed upon myself to read a while every morning and every night; not tying myself to the number of chapters, but long as my thoughts should engage me. It was not long after I set seriously to this work till I found my heart more deeply and sincerely affected with the wickedness of my past life. The impression of my dream revived; and the words, “All these things have not brought thee to repentance,” ran seriously through my thoughts. — The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe By Daniel Defoe
In one sense or the other we as Christians are all “Robinson Crusoes” marooned between the Biblical Egypt and the Promised Land, not all of us crossing the Red Sea as smoothly as the televised testimonies. Some of us get stuck in quicksand for what seems the most of our lives.
The Bible is not an all too solitary book. It accounts historical facts of people who had their times of isolation and reflection, but the emphasis is not on those times; The Bible is all about God’s interaction with His people and His people interacting, sometimes clashing with other people.
Reading something like the Book of Joshua can be a daunting task, but I consolidate myself with the notion it’s probably for the best I don’t prefer the wars; they are not meant to be pleasant reading.
The Psalms are more to my liking, with varying themes. The good news for lonely people and those of us who have failed is our value is never determined by our worth to society, not even by righteous standards, let alone any superficiality associated with highflying.
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. — Psalm 34:15-16 (KJV)
13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; — 1 Peter 3:13-14 (KJV)
I like how the Amplified Bible clarifies in 1 Peter, Chapter 3, that if we should suffer for the sake of righteousness, though it is not certain that we will, we are still blessed i.e. happy, to be admired and favored by God. This puts to rest two false readings into the verses, that somehow suffering is the proof that we are in the wrong, or that we absolutely must suffer in order to be happy.
God is not schizophrenic. We must learn to be reasonably steady whether the times are good or bad, being thankful for the good times.
Don’t be looking for trouble
People have an amazing ability to adapt to most any circumstance they face. This can be both an asset and a weakness, depending on the situation. I cringe at declarations and prayers on wanting to suffer for the cause, as if Christian life was a game. This makes about as much sense as wanting to drive an ambulance as close to the cliff as possible. Let’s make sure to move toward the right direction in orderly fashion so we won’t have to adapt to anything negative that could be avoided – including shipwrecks.
God bless you, Dear Reader.
[This article was originally published on wisemansolomon.com on April 1, 2020.]
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