John Donne, an English poet, scholar, and cleric in the Church of England once remarked: “No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thy friend's Or of thine own were: Any man's death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind, And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.” 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
No man is an island is an expression that predominantly refers to the fact that outright survival on this mortal coil cannot be achieved by a sole individual. Every living creature depends on a variety of inputs from another, irrespective of their degree, or magnitude. From the moment a new child is born, this important concept becomes prevalent to life and continues, without cessation, throughout its term. A baby relies on nourishment nurtured by another, it can’t yield the source or food to feed itself. If a person is stranded on a desert isle, to survive, he or she is dependent on freshwater, fruits of the land and other natural growth sources manifested by God for the benefit and security of animals or insects that may already inhabit the atoll. During any existence, nourishment consumed for the purpose of survival, whether it be processed or natural, is usually provided by God. In fact, it could be said that God is the caring hand that feeds us all. His deeds and guidance are imperative for our survival and comfort in several ways. Nourishment from God is essential in our daily lives as it not only sustains life, but encourages, teaches, guides and rewards.
Romans 14:1-23 reminds us: As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
In a human lifetime, no one stands, or should be allowed to stand alone. Everyone needs others. It may create a family atmosphere that generates security and warmth. Variety of mind is essential to eliminate the mundaneness of life. Friendships form, harmony may abound, fondness gathers, love ensues, the blessings of God are for all, and His divine nourishment is essential to sustain life. This is what an existence should be about. Making the most of it. Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian independence activist and leader once remarked: “Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you.” Psalm 37:1-20 reminds us: “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance. But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures.”
God is the main provider of life, He feeds and nourishes us with the essential foods of necessity, from the moment we take our first breath until we eventually take the last. After that, He still continues to provide. He tends and cares for us as the shepherd guides his sheep. If we stray, He will find us and bring us back to safety. If we are in danger, He will protect us. He offers us eternity in a land of bounty and pleasure where pain is no more, only fun and laughter, the reuniting of past friends and loved ones and the future that only a fulfilled peace can bring. John 3:16-17 reminds us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Amen.
