Where do you go when you need to get away? I’ve always loved to go to the movies. I find when life starts to overwhelm, I can immerse myself in a story that helps me forget, for awhile, the pressures of everyday life. Sometimes I need an even bigger escape when there are life changing events that weigh me down. Many years ago, after losing my wife to cancer, my father-in-law suggested our families do something completely different for the holidays. Instead of enjoying Thanksgiving at home with a big home cooked meal which was usually prepared by my wife he said why don’t we all go to San Antonio. He had done some research and found a wonderful resort in the Texas hill country. It was a way to make a new tradition and forget for just a moment the hurt our family had experienced with in the passing of Cindy. We had a wonderful time, and a new tradition was born that we repeated several times over the few years.
I am reminded of the need to escape sometimes when I read the Emmaus story in Luke 24. These two followers of Jesus have been in Jerusalem where they had been witnesses to the crucifixion, or at the very least are aware of it. They are distraught because they had thought this time the true messiah had come into the world to redeem them and now, he was dead. I think they are trying to get away from the memories and the pain of being in Jerusalem these last few days. So, they head down this road to the little village of Emmaus and on their way they encounter Jesus even though at first they are unable to recognize him. At the end of the day when they invite Jesus to have dinner with them their eyes are opened in the breaking of the bread and they realize it is Jesus they have been talking to all this time. They were so excited they turned right around and headed back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples and others what had happened. He has indeed risen!
Sometimes in life we do need to escape from our troubles for a while. What’s just as important is that we realize Christ is always present with us when we are running away just as he was with these two followers on the road to Emmaus. In the happy times and the difficult periods of life Jesus promises to walk beside us and to encourage us. So, escape to your happy place, your place of solitude but don’t forget to come back once you are refreshed.
-Rev. Dave Poteet, Pastor of Congregational Care
