MISSING PARADISE
In the great North Atlantic Ocean, there is a British island paradise that is like heaven on earth. It’s known for its beautiful pink-sand beaches, rugged rock formations, and captivatingly clear turquoise waters. Everything is easy on the eyes, relaxing to the senses, and calming to the nerves. With a land mass of just 20 square miles and a population of only 65,000, it’s a small piece of paradise enjoyed by a relative few. But did you know that this piece of heaven on earth was once called the “Isle of Devils”? Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? In fact, during the 1500s, this island was on nobody’s bucket list. The screeching of Cahows, the squealing of swine, the whistling of the tree frogs, and howling of the wind sounded like the wailing of demons to superstitious sailors. Many believed that this island was haunted by evil spirits. But nothing could be further from the truth!
History tells us that Bermuda was named after the 16th century Spanish navigator: Juan De Bermudez. He was the first to accidentally discover this uninhabited paradise in 1505. Though it was first discovered by a Spaniard, Bermuda was never claimed nor colonized by the Spanish. Some of the local tour guides told me that the reason the Spanish never claimed this island was because of fear. Fear of the treacherous reef-filled waters and the imaginary evil spirits that supposedly haunted this island. Jokingly, some say that Bermudez lived up to his name. He came for ONE DAY, then he left. That’s why they call him one-day Bermudez. It’s a humorous saying but, I can imagine, very unsettling for Spain, thinking about the possibilities that could have been.
It wasn’t until over a century later that the island was finally settled by the English in 1612. So, although named after a Spanish explorer, English is the mother tongue of this British colony. I found it interesting that the “Isle of Devils” happens to be one of the most beautiful and harmless places on earth. There are no dangerous snakes, poisonous spiders, or ferocious beasts that can harm you here. In fact, seldom will you even see a shark in the water. If you ask me, this place is harmless and very habitable. This is God’s country! A desired destination for multitudes of people looking for rest and repose from all over the world.
I found it very foolish that a country missed out on colonizing this uninhabited paradise. Why? Because of fear. But you know, as I thought about that, I realized that many people are doing the exact same foolish thing today.
You see, friends, there is a true paradise that God is preparing for us in heaven. A sweet, harmless haven of rest. A place with no tears or fears! A place where there will be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying nor pain. A perfect paradise where the flowers never fade, laughter never ceases, joy never dims, the sky never darkens, the people never age, and children never die. A place that you surely don’t want to miss!
But, tragically, when we all get to heaven and the roll is called up yonder, many people will be absent. Why? For the same reason why Bermudez missed out on Bermuda. One word: FEAR. There are so many people in our world that are afraid to trust God with their lives. Afraid to let Him have full control. Afraid of surrender and self-sacrifice. Most people think that God is some tyrant. Some kind of celestial sheriff out there to get them and make them miserable in holiness. But the Bible says that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”! (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV).
Fear is not of God, friends. It is the enemy’s work to make us afraid. But God is the One who said to Isaiah, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine” (Isaiah 43:1, KJV). He is the same One that said to Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NKJV). And He is the same One that says to us all: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
Fear is not from God. It is from the enemy of God. And FEAR is an acronym: It stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. Just like Juan De Bermudez, many people are being deceived and duped by the devil’s false evidence. And because of that, many will miss out on the celestial paradise. My friend, allow me to speak to your heart today. Is there something that the devil has caused you to believe that makes you afraid to trust God? Is there a demonic distraction that has deterred you from the path to paradise? Or maybe a decision that you need to make but you hesitate because you are afraid of failure? Well, today, I encourage you not to be deceived by the devil’s delusions. Nor be deterred by his demonic distraction. Let God remove the unfounded fear in your heart. And let Him replace it with His perfect peace and His saving grace. I invite you to go forward in holy boldness and unwavering faith! Go and claim the heavenly paradise as your home. And don’t allow your fears to get in the way!
The way to overcome fear is to be filled with LOVE. You see, fear will cast you out of paradise, but the Bible says that perfect love will cast fear out from you. So, instead of focusing on the uncertainty of your circumstances. Instead of dwelling upon your difficulties and musing on all your mistakes, take your eyes off of yourself and place them on the blessed Christ. Let Him pour out His love in your heart! And just as darkness is dispelled by light, as God’s love comes in, the devil’s fears will go out! And instead of being driven by fear (false evidence appearing real), you will be drawn by faith. Faith which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Faith that will lead us all the way to our heavenly paradise! Not just for ONE DAY. But for all of eternity! By God’s grace, I’ll see you there!