The Escape Strategy

On the way home from Australia, I watched the popular movie "Avatar."  It resembles closely, in a way, this current generation which finds escape through technology.  I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but the film holds forth the concept it might be possible to move your soul from one body from another.  Instead of remaining bound in a paralyzed body, one could inhabit a new body in an alien environment.  All one must do is find this new environment, have a body made which could live in it, and the fantasy potential is endless.  Yet after the movie is over, reality is still reality.  After coming home from a two-week trip, reality waits in the form of going back to work, paying the bills which have piled up, and cooking dinner.

Escaping reality has been a hobby for humans since the beginning.  Music, sports, theater, stories, gambling, sex, drugs, and alcohol are just the beginning of things which have been used by people for millenia to remove them temporarily from reality.  As Lemuel's mother says in Proverbs 31:6-7, "Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart. [7] Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more."  These verses point out how alcohol numbs the mind but has no power to change reality in a positive way.  In the last century, technology has added to the ways we can "unwind," specifically with television, radio, video games, movies, and the internet.  All of these latest inventions are highly portable and have opened the door to an almost sinister pursuit of fantasy.  It has escalated to such extremes that people or their neglected children have actually died because of this addiction to seeking this escape.

Last night the thought occurred to me:  is it possible that church activities could become just another way to seek escape from reality?  Is this why some people become disillusioned with Christianity and the church when real problems occur within it?  If you haven't recognized this by now, people have problems.  Christians are people, therefore Christians have problems too.  Since the church is made up of Christians, it stands to reason that there will be problems within the church.  This is in no way a justification for sin or immoral practice, but an objective statement of fact.  We all have a history with a number of hurts and pain which may or may not have been confessed, recognized, or even dealt with.  There are issues that everyone faces on a regular basis and also times of crisis which can occur with the sudden violence of a tornado, leaving wreckage in its path.  Those who expect the church to be a perfect utopia free from human error soon find themselves facing grim reality.  This should not surprise us, for it is the sick who need a physician and Jesus is a Healer and Restorer of souls dead in sins.  Reality should not be grim, for we serve a God who is a Redeemer, Savior, and Lover of our souls.

This desire to escape from reality can also find a foothold in doctrine.  There are some who in my opinion over-emphasize certain doctrines such as the Rapture.  I believe the Rapture is imminent and certain, but there are some who are given over entirely to the intrigue of eschatology (end times prophecy).  There is a longing in people to be free from their current situation.  They think, "How great it would be to be caught up to heaven with the church now!  Not only will I be spared from the great tribulation, but I won't have to worry about my financial debt, the fact my marriage is a disaster, or that I'm about to lose my job.  I can't wait until this is all over!"  Church and biblical doctrine become just another way to distance the heart and mind from reality.  Thoughts turn from glory of God and the lost and hurting of this world and are turned inward.  Those who use Bible teachings to escape into a world of fantasy will find their desire to live a godly life stunted and choked of any power to walk with Christ.

Jesus prays this for His church in John 17:15-17:  "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."  We do not know which day will be our last, whether we are caught up to be with the LORD in the clouds or if our physical body fails due to sickness or trauma.  Jesus did not pray that we should be taken out of the world, and we should not desire to escape from it either.  This desire to escape is largely selfish.  In what way would leaving this earth glorify God?  I suppose it is in the way you leave it.  King Saul was caught up wounded in the midst of battle and fell upon his own sword because he was afraid he would fall into the hands of the Philistines.  Stephen was stoned for his unwavering faith and boldness in Christ.  I ask you:  from whom did God receive greater glory?

Paul says this in Philip. 1:19-26:  "For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, [20] according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. [21] For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. [23] For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. [24] Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. [25] And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, [26] that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again."  May we as Paul live every day with the unwavering determination to live for the glory of God.  Paul loved Jesus and wanted to be with Him in heaven, but he recognized that God's will was for him to remain on earth.  The day for leaving the earth would someday come, and it would not be productive for Paul to dream about that day when there was much work to be done for the glory of God.  Day-dreaming never makes us more efficient in our labor, more diligent workers, or stronger Christians.  May we be able to say, "To live is Christ."  God will manage the day of our death without our input.  When it comes may He receive the glory due His name.