The Exit That Leads You to Escape
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary app on my iPad, “exit” means:
1. a departure from a stage;
2. the act of going out or away;
3. a way out of an enclosed place or space;
4. one of the designated points of departure from an expressway.
Why the definition, you ask? Well, recently, I had cable service installed at my apartment. By recently, I mean a few weeks ago, and I know, I’m late. Anyhoo, the tech came out to my apartment and installed my system and afterward, he explained how to use the remote. I was sure that I already knew how to operate it, but he seemingly proved otherwise.
He showed me how to use the menu and input buttons and then… he showed me the ‘exit’ button.
Now, of all the buttons on my remote, the exit button is now my favorite. Why? Well, mainly because if I push the wrong button, the ‘exit’ button is the one to get me back to a familiar screen.
The tech pressed the button and said, “Exit gets you out of anything you don’t want to be in.”
Immediately, it struck a chord with me and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I put that quote in my notes on my phone because I knew it had some other meaning to it.
Jesus Be an Exit Strategy
There are times when we get in so deep that we don’t know what to do or where to go. We can’t seem to get out or away, break out of that place or space, or find a proper detour. It is in these times that we must look to Christ for help.
See, God promised us a way of escape, or an “exit” to get us out of temptation. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Christ is our own personal exit button. He is there to get us off of that main stage of embarrassment and out of that enclosed room of pressure, quickly! He “gets you out of anything you don’t want to be in.” The catch is, you’ve got to let Him.
SO, WHAT’S THE PLAY CALL?
Just like with my new remote, I had to learn to use all my “buttons” in life. I had to learn to call on God when I got in a predicament that I couldn’t handle. I had to learn to take His escape route instead of my own. I had to learn to trust that His plan would place me back on the right path. So, when you get into those sticky situations, here are a few things to remember:
- Know that Jesus is the ultimate way out. Often, we try to find our own way because we are afraid, ashamed, or too prideful to ask for help. Again, our playbook says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God will “make a way to escape.”
- Understand that only God deserves all of your trust. So often we look for advice from our friends and family, and that is great – but they won’t always steer you in the right direction – God’s direction for you at that moment. Psalms 118:8 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
- What are you waiting for? Call on God! When I need directions to a place, I say “Siri, directions to ______ (insert place here)” and she provides a route worth taking. God’s route is even more accurate than that of my iPhone. “I will call on the Lord who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (Psalm 18:3)
Team, you are never in too deep or too lost where Jesus can’t bring you back home. Whatever you do, remember your “exit” button.
All I can say is thank you! This spoke directly to me 🙏🏾