I just returned from a visit to Greenwood. Sid was sent to Atlanta with work and I seized the opportunity to visit mom! We have had a stressful week and I really enjoyed escaping from it all.
Someone once told me it was wrong to escape. I am not sure how I feel about that statement. I feel that in escaping, that is when I truly can get a clear picture of what is taking place all around me. Is there some lack in my faith because I want to escape? Do you remember the story found in Matthew 26 where Jesus has just had the last supper with his disciples? Do you remember what came next?
He has just told the disciples that He was going to die, and He just told a dear friend that he would betray him, not once but THREE times. Now Jesus was having a stressful time. He was going to DIE, his best friends were going to betray him. Then comes the part I like, Jesus escapes. He took the disciples to a place called Gethsemane, a garden. This was not just a garden in someone's backyard, this garden was on top of a mountain! Jesus, escaped! Just for a few moments He went somewhere to be away from the situation. He went to spend time with God, and I am sure to regain focus of His mission. He even asked God to remove the situation.
When we feel stressed and are dealing with hard situations, or maybe even events we don't want to face , escape. I am not saying don't deal with whatever is going on, but find somewhere outside of the situation to seek God.
Do we have to do this alone? Jesus, prayed alone, but he took his disciples with him. He asked them to stay with Him and keep watch. Maybe in our times of escape we need our family and friends to be with us and help us. Then maybe we can face all of our challenges with courage and faith that only comes from God.