Emotional Exile

 John was exiled to the Island of Patmos for preaching the Word. They had tried to kill John three times and he had survived all three. Since they weren't sure how to get rid of him, he was bannished to the deserted island to live out his days. Talk about social isolation! 

He had lost everything. He was separated from his physical and spiritual family. Life had taken a hard turn away from anything "normal." John was alone, as far as we know. There may have been a few other "crazies" bannished there with him. If so, they were likely what we would consider hardened criminals. John could have curled up in the fetal position in the back of a cave. We really have no clue as to how he may have processed these major, traumatic, life changes. 

What we do know is that on the Lord's Day, John was worshipping in the Spirit. (Revelation 1:10) 

A quick look back at the previous nine verses reveal a lot about John. Firstly, he had an outward view. In verse 4, he says he is writting it all down to send to the seven churches in Asia. He is banished to an island and he is still trying to reach others with the revalation of who Jesus is. (Side note from my teacher side: Revelation isn't just a prophetic end-time book. It's the revelation of Christ throughout all time.)

John has a deep grasp of who Jesus is, judging by his desription of Christ in verses 4 through 8. He had developed a heart of worship in adverse circumstances beyond our imagination. But he was worshipping. 

I draw a few emotional parallels to the caregiver. John was alone. He was cut off from his friends and other believers. He had been through trauma we can't even imagine. Perhaps he had a near-death experience (or two, or three!). But he never lost focus of the Word of God and who Jesus was.

Is it safe to say that this is what has carried us as Christian caregivers? We know abandonment. We expereince rejection from those we trusted would be with us through lifes' dark night of the soul. Yet at the same time, we know that God is still with us during our emotional exile. 

When it's dark, we can still worship Him, because He didn't change on iota when our worlds changed. God didn't get off the throne or throw in the towel when John was bannished to the Isle. Instead, God revealed a deeper level of Himself to John as he continued to worship. 

John wasn't out of reach on that island. In fact, he was safe in the heart and hands of God!

Today, I'll remind myself that God has more things to reveal to me during this emotional exile. I will meditate on who He is and remind myself that He never changes. My thoughts will be on how sure the Kingdom is and how sure I am that my place in it never changes based on natural circumstances. I'll shift my focus from my current life and focus on John's description of the Savior. (Revelation1:4-8) My heart will rest in the truth that He still is...and He is still with me. I believe I can trust Him with one more day. Will you join me?

Check out one of my best-selling books - 31 Days in Psalm 31. It's a devotional taken from Psalm 31 (obviously!) - a time when David was hiding in a cave from Saul - even though he'd been anointed the next king. The social isolation of caregiving can certainly make it feel like we live in a cave, but God is there with us. And that's what this 31-day devotional is all about: exploring and discovering God in the caves of life. You can get the eBook from my shop at Buy Me A Coffee, or the print and Kindle versions are available in my Amazon Shop.