Kristen Henderlong

Life lately has been a whirlwind of uncertainties, tragedies and never-ending frustration with the pattern of this world.

How can I escape?  I need space.

I wish I could say I choose the right thing every time.  But that’s not true.  Escape can be a copout; escape can be selfish.  However, I have learned- sometimes the weight of our circumstances warrants an escape and it’s the healthiest thing to do at the time.

Some healthy examples might be: going away for the weekend to reset and recharge; traveling to visit family who live far away; or taking yourself out on a date to do something you enjoy.

This is the kind of escape we all need sometimes to take a break; to breathe and recenter.  To give ourselves space and separation from what is.  

Jesus often escaped to a quiet place to pray to His Father.  We are called to do the same.

Yet, unfortunately, it seems to be quite normal to escape reality a little too frequently to numb ourselves with whatever we can find… a “quick fix” escape that’s impulsive and careless: substance abuse, video games, pornography, doom scrolling social media, the news, TV or any other obsession that consumes the mind.

Notice how all the distractions listed are man-made things.  None of them authentically, naturally come from God as the source.

A healthy escape is when we separate ourselves from the world and come to the Father… when we escape to the source of abundant and everlasting life, love, peace and joy.

We seek “happiness” by consuming “things.”  We seek fulfillment from broken people.  We numb the pain impulsively with whatever pleasure we can find in the moment… all of that to eventually find ourselves more empty and depressed than we were before.

Actually, maybe you aren’t depressed.  Maybe nothing tragically horrible has happened to you.  Maybe you feel nothing and you’re tired of the monotony; you’re desperate for a way to feel something again.

The truth is, it doesn’t matter what your situation is.  Your cup is empty because you keep trying to fill it with more emptiness.  Trying to fill your life with these things is like trying to pour air into a cup.  It doesn’t work.  The cup will always be empty.

The only way to fill your cup is to go to the source of abundant, living water.  Go to the Well that never runs dry (John 4).  Jesus said to a woman sitting at a well, “…but whoever drinks of the water that I give them will never thirst; the water that I give will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14).

Jesus won’t only fill your cup.  He will let it overflow.

He already poured Himself out for you.  He gave his life so you could be free.  It’s not a negotiation to make with Him.  It’s not something you have to earn approval for.  He already did it.  Done.  Over.  Complete.

My prayer right now is that you would go to Him.  Plan that weekend getaway and meet with Him.  Let Him fill you up to overflowing.  Take yourself out on a date and meet with Jesus.  Stop tripping over distractions and man-made things.  Run to him.  Give yourself some space from the weight of this world.

Escape to a quiet place with the One who gives abundant, fulfilling life.

Remember: You are loved.