Survival Skills

I recently watched a fictional television series about survivors of a plane crash. They were marooned on an island. The party of 11 (1 pilot and 10 kids) split into two groups. One group went on a search for civilization, and the other group stayed on the beach to make camp. Most of the episodes are centered on the kids left at the beach. This was supposed to be an educational show, so we learn several things about survival skills (how to make a fire, building shelters out of what you have, distilling water, etc). But, the show is still trying to tell a story, so there are several dramatic moments. There are plenty of continuity flaws (like, why are they begging for deodorant early on, even though they were originally prepared for a 10-day camping trip), but the situation is much more interesting.

Could I survive on a deserted island with a handful of other people? Sadly, I lack those kind of survival skills. I would hope I would be a hard worker, though, helping to support the whole group in the daily work needed to survive. I doubt I would be a leader-type because I always want everyone to like me. Sadly, I could see myself as one of the complainers (it's too hot and humid, the tent stinks, the bugs are eating me alive).

Complaining, and not having a solution, is annoying and useless. It can waste time when work must be done (if we don't find food, then we won't eat). There is nothing wrong with thinking about a problem, as long as you are also thinking about how to solve that problem.

When David was on the run from Saul, he was often alone. The only one he consistently trusted was the Lord. He would talk to God, asking Him what to do next. The Lord would answer him, guiding him in everything he was doing. By trusting God with his whole life, David left a legacy. David was not perfect in any way, but he was described as a man after God's own heart. When we seek after God, when we seek His will and not our own, we can be guided and be comforted. We will not survive everything that we go through here on this earth, but we do have a Savior that will save us eternally.

Psalm 62:1-2 (English Standard Version)

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.