I have a confession: I entertain thoughts of escaping reality and fleeing to the Discovery Islands or Sunshine Coast.
I imagine how wonderful it would be to live in a beautiful home on an isolated stretch of ocean; surrounded by temperate rainforest, hidden away from the rest of the world and oblivious to the craziness of life. I would divide my time between our oceanfront hideaway and my yacht in which I would cruise the idyllic waters of the Salish Sea.
I would be content in being blissfully unaware of the reality of everyday life.
I’ve always thought there was something wrong with me to have to battle thoughts of escaping reality on a regular basis. I recently asked a close friend of mine, who tirelessly serves and loves people and builds God’s Kingdom, if he ever battles similar thoughts of escaping reality.
I was preparing myself for him to say, “no”, and then be left to try to figure out why I alone have this problem. Much to my surprise, and I must say delight, he indicated that he did indeed regularly battle thoughts of escaping reality.
Yes! I’m not the only one!
If you find yourself often battling the desire to escape reality into some blissful state of unreality then you’re not alone – there are at least 2 more of us who do as well.
So, is there something deeply wrong with us? Well, yes and no. We long for heaven, we long for peace, we long for a world without evil and, therefore, strife, fear, discouragement, anxiety, stress, despair, pain, etc. That desire is good. However, we will not find the fulfillment of that this side of heaven. For now, we live in a broken world as broken people.
Can we experience more and more of God’s government of righteousness, peace and joy this side of heaven? Absolutely. But the Kingdom is now and not yet. It will one day come in its fullness with Jesus’ return, but not yet. For now we have work to do.
Do we need to get away from reality on occasion to breathe in the rest, restoration, recreation, and renewal of God? Absolutely. That’s what great holidays are for. However, we need to come down from the mountain and plug back into the reality of everyday life to be ambassadors of God’s government in the lives of those people in our sphere of influence and authority.
We stay faithful to the work God has put in our hands because He is faithful to us. We carry the responsibilities He has entrusted to us because we have surrendered our lives to Him. He has offered us His life here and now, and for eternity. He has called us to serve Him and serve others as our act of worship in response to the love He has poured out on us.
Not to earn His love, but in response to it.
Has He promised life will be easy? No. Has he promised we won’t have any problems in this life? No. Has he promised all the resources of heaven are at our disposal to make us happy and comfortable? No.
However, in the midst of our daily reality God has promised to provide for all of our needs. He has promised to make us willing and able to work according to His purposes. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He has promised to lead us and guide us, to counsel and watch over us. He has promised to make all grace abound to us so that all the time we will have what we need to do the work He has called us to do.
We need to soak in God’s presence like a shower. Strip off everything you hide behind, rest in God’s presence and ask Him to refresh and renew you. Linger in His presence like a renewing hot shower. Let His Truth, love and peace soak deep into your heart.
We also need to walk authentically with allies who remind us why we live the way we live. We need to encourage each other in the Truth.
Let’s escape reality only in God’s presence, so we can face it in His peace and power.
Matthew 11:28, 29
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 2:12, 13
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”