Turtle Island

The relentless sun beat down on the holiday makers clustered on the quayside waiting for the treat of the week – a leisurely cruise on the Aegean.

We looked forward to the gentle sea breezes, promises of dolphin sightings, ports with ancient Greek character, an afternoon swim in the warm crystal clear waters and a look at Turtle Island.

“So why is it called Turtle Island?” we asked with the expectation rising of wading ashore onto some white sun kissed, palm fringed, sandy beach to commune with turtles doing what turtles do.

“No!” came the answer, “just snakes and a few goats”.

Our romantic balloon burst, but maybe we would see dolphins, we thought.

The first part of the boat trip went well with plenty of shade on the boat, lovely breezes and pleasant conversation with new friends.  But no dolphins.

After an hour or so the boat sailed by a ragged outcrop of an island with a few small trees and scrub bushes, but no exotic sandy beaches and certainly no turtles.  So this was Turtle Island; it was hard to understand why it had been mentioned on the cruise itinerary.

Still no dolphins.

The cruise continued and after a while the ship arrived at the harbour of a town set into the hillside where we enjoyed a leisurely break, partook of local hospitality and wondered whether the Greeks enjoyed playing tricks on the gullible tourists.  No turtles and no dolphins.

Once more we set sail passing the rocky island in a different direction and then – no not dolphins – but we saw the reason for the naming of the island.  As we sailed along the southern shore, but far enough away to see the whole island from end to end it became clear.

The island is shaped, quite remarkably, just like a turtle.  Every proportion being correct.  You could make out a head, pokey out feet, a large humpy back and a sticky out pointed tail.

There for all to see – Turtle Island.

It would have been very easy to miss the spectacle.  If it was approached from the wrong direction, there would be nothing much to see, one might even turn around and return home either totally unaware of its existence or having set out as we did, with a promise, end up being disappointed.

Life can be like that.  It so often depends on your perspective.  How you see an issue is determined by the way you look at it.

To many, at the time, the death of Jesus on the Cross was a triumph of the establishment over a rebellious zealot while others were devastated at their personal loss. But within a short distance of time, the same people had to reconsider their perspective in the light of God’s intervention.

The visit to Turtle Island reminded me of God’s intervention in my own life and how, with His help, my perspective on life can be different.

Oh, and in case you ask, no dolphins.