The Way Of Escape
Have you ever watched that U.K. program called
Escape to the Country?
The concept is that a couple have decided
They want to escape the rat race of London
And move somewhere that has green fields as far as the eye can see
Room to breathe in all that ‘country air’
Enjoy a drink at the village pub
And sign up for the ladies knitting group
At the local village hall
This is their way of escape
So, the host of the show finds three houses plus a ‘mystery’ house
For the couple to look around
All closely within their budget
The host tries very hard
Oh so very hard
To find houses that fit the couple’s requests and requirements
THE WAY OF ESCAPE
One gorgeous house after another
They find ‘something’ just doesn’t quite suit them
Too isolated
Too small
Too big
Too much grass
Too many cows
Too many cow pats
Too…
I’m going to stop right there
Because we could be here for days
Which is how long it takes
For the couple to reach the conclusion
That the pokey little bedsit they currently live in
With the outside toilet
And the great outlook of Heathrow Airport runway
From their lounge window
Is not so bad after all
Huh?
I’m mean, sheesh people?
Didn’t you tell us all at the start of the show
That you wanted to ESCAPE to the Country?!
They just can’t bring themselves to move
Into the unknown
Deep down in their core
They want to take the leap
But
Fear holds them back
The trials that they are experiencing right now
Seem strangely familiar
Almost comforting
In an odd sort of way
So, they don’t take the way of escape
That is offered to them
In 1 Corinthians 10:13 it says
‘We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.’
Hear that?
When you’re in a trial
God provides a way of escape
Isn’t that just running away from your trials?
No, because it says
Each test is an opportunity
To trust Him (God) more
And the way of escape will bring you out of it
VICTORIOUSLY
Love it!
Think of Joseph in Genesis chapter 39
When he escaped Potiphar’s wife’s advances
God knew he would leave behind his cloak
And this was all the evidence Potiphar’s wife needed
For her lies to be believed by her husband
But this was all part of God’s Master plan
This was God providing the way of escape for Joseph
Because He needed Joseph’s surroundings to change
Hold on
Joseph ended up in prison!
Yes, I know
But
God needed him in the palace prison
Otherwise he would have never of met
The chief baker and the cup-bearer
Who eventually introduced Joseph to Pharaoh
And Pharaoh made Joseph Prime Minister over Egypt!
The cloak had to be left behind
For Joseph to be positioned in the right place
Ready for his calling
So, the question is
Has God provided for you the way of escape?
And if so
What do you need to leave behind
To step into your calling?
Wendy xo