We Are Not Cast Away
Key Verse to Read and Treasure
And a time to cast away (Ecclesiastes 3:5, ESV)
For Insight
Cast Away. This must go on my list of all-time favorite movies. I could watch Cast Away over and over and never tire of it. Each time I see something a new aspect or learn a new lesson. Cast Away is an excellent film to use for Cinematherapy because its use of imagery and plot. It can help us have greater insight, experience emotional release, and inspire us in our own life. One of my daughters loved Cast Away so much she named her dog Wilson, who was Tom Hanks (Chuck Noland’s) personified, nonverbal companion on the island. By the time the movie concludes, and the credits are rolling we are not afraid to lose anything, not even time. Like Tom Hank’s character, we understand we can be richer and stronger for our losses or time apart.
After a time or season of keeping and holding close we can and will often experience seasons and times of casting away. At times, the Israelites must have felt like castaways. Forced from their own homes and land. Forced to live in foreign lands among foreigners. These were always difficult times for them. The amazing thing about God is that even when they experienced being castaways in God did not cast them away from him. He went wherever they went.
I’m sure people who are detained in foreign countries, those who are or have been prisoners of war, those wrongfully imprisoned, those who are separated and have been rejected by family of friends, know what it feels like to be castaway. Removed from everyone and everything they know. That must be the epitome of loneliness.
Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden because of their sin. It was not punishment from God but the fact that they were no longer without sin and could not continue to enjoy the perfect environment, perfectly balanced God had created especially for them in their sinless state. Not until heaven would they or we experience that kind of perfection in living again.
We will have times of being cast away, and those will be difficult to take. But God is with us. He has promised never to leave nor forsake us. God casts our sin away from him, but he never casts us away.
Check Yourself
How do you react when you feel castaway from others? Have you ever felt God has cast you away from him?
Praying Ecclesiastes 3:6
Heavenly Father, at times we feel cast away from you and that is the worst feeling we can have, yet you assure us you will not cast us away forever, you will have mercy upon us. We do not deserve your continual presence or companionship in this life but praise God, you never leave nor forsake us. Amen
Digging Deeper
Devotionally Yours 