Isn’t that an impossibility? or at the least an oxymoron? “Stranded” implies one wants to leave but has no way to do so, while “paradise” implies a place of such beauty, peace, joy, etc. that one would never want to leave such a place. So logically one cannot be stranded in paradise because one would never want to leave such a place as paradise is. And yet as I write this tonight, dear readers, I find myself in just such a predicament. I am literally stranded in paradise.

First of all let me assure you, this place is paradise. Warm weather, beautiful beaches, the ocean’s tranquil waves and turquoise hues everywhere you look, palm trees, sea birds and boats dot the landscape and the food is fabulous everywhere you go. I have been experiencing this paradise with my children, their gift to me. But all good things must come to an end (someone said) and this vacation in paradise is no exception. All of us have jobs to which we must return and today is the day of our scheduled departure from paradise. Everyone has successfully departed but me. My flight home was not just delayed but cancelled entirely. And there are no more flights out until tomorrow.

So I find myself stranded in paradise for another day. You would think this would be a good thing. But suddenly paradise has lost its pizazz. How could this be? Maybe it’s because I’m alone in paradise now, having no one to share the experience with me. Maybe paradise is less about the place and more about the people. What good is warm sand if you don’t have anyone to walk in it with you? Now that my loved ones are no longer here with me, paradise has lost its allure and I am ready to return home – but I can’t. I am stranded in paradise. Interestingly, Jesus said this about the paradise we have to look forward to –

“In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)

Did you catch that? Jesus isn’t just getting ready some random place in paradise for you and I, but He’s creating a place for you and I that is where He is! We will not be alone in heaven. We will not be isolated or separated, but we will be with our Savior, Jesus. We will not be stranded in paradise alone. We will be with the One who came for us, gave His life for us, and is now preparing a place for us to join Him in paradise.

Jesus has promised never to leave me nor forsake me. This is good news. This means I will not find myself stranded in paradise for an eternity because Jesus will be right there with me. I have His word on that.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

sincerely, Grace Day