1 Corinthians 10: 23-24, Colossians 3: 4-6, 1 Peter 4: 1-5

John Dixon

I have been challenged recently by an overwhelming desire to escape from reality. 'Uh whatever' you say. Well, life can be really tough and we are constantly being bombarded with the media encouraging us to do things that please ourselves. 'True' you say, well that may be true but there are two sides to that coin and it can be darn easy to take to the extreme the desire to look after no.1! We can form habits to escape life that can sometimes be a little questionable and maybe even destructive.

So how do we escape? uh...What do you want.......a list?! Ok then.

Top Ten Escapes... TV, Video Gamin, Sleeping, Shopping, Movies, Internet trawling, Drinking, Dating, Night Clubbing, Eating.

I'm sure you figure on that list somewhere or could add to it.

'What's the problem?' I hear you say 'those are not a problem!' Dead right. You will want to do most of those things in your life as a normal matter of course but what happens if we escape too much?

Think about the way you like to escape...................Who pays for your absence from life. Your Mum.....Your Family.....Your partner......Your mates. Someone always pays. They Pay & You Pay. P.A.Y.E. (pay as you escape)

They pay by having to work around you harder, do more of your washing, cleaning and helping you out of the mess you get into!

You see the problem with escaping too much is that you eventually become trapped by the escape. Look at the list again. They can all become addictive to some level. You get stuck. Then you really pay.

Its good to escape for a season but our responsibilities are always there to come back to.

My Problem. A Computer Steering Wheel, I love driving games. I was in danger. I wanted to play before I Prayed. I was getting stuck. I couldn't turn it off. I would get upset if I was interrupted. Sound familiar? (I've now had to put it in the loft to get back to my responsibilities so I could catch up on all the work I've not done). It's taken me two weeks to catch up.

Now for the big deal, God verses idol. That escape could ruin your walk with God. Listen to His voice. Is it time for you to return to your responsibility and give up your rights? The battle is RIGHTS VS RESPONSIBILITIES. He is calling you to a life where your rights are less important than His command. You know Him, listen to what His voice is saying to you.

Here are some scriptures to read up on...

1 CORINTHIANS 10: 23-24
'You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is helpful. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial. Don't think only of your own good. Think of others and what is best for them.'

Colossians 3: 4-6
'And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. God's terrible anger will come upon those who do such things.'

1 Peter 4: 1-5
'So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy--their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. Of course, your former friends are very surprised when you no longer join them in the wicked things they do, and they say evil things about you. But just remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.'