Escape Hatch

By Brenda Jank

Escape hatches. We need them. We need an escape route for the times in life when demands bombard us at a rate that pummels our soul. Escape hatches come in all shapes and sizes.

An overdose of Netflix – A day in pajamas –Tightening the vice-grip of overload – An early bedtime

A quiet walk in a park – A half-gallon of ice-cream – Being stuck in worry – Lunch with a friend

A mantra of lies – The cha-ching of a cash register – A drink or pill that numbs your soul

What’s your “go-to?” Do you know it? Can you name it? What does your hand, your head, your heart turn to grab on to when the waters overtake you?

No matter what we do to relieve the pressure, we are creatures of habit. More than likely, for good or bad, we do what we have done before.

Want to start to new habit? Want to create a new escape route that will take you away from the danger, AND will propel you into the arms of God?

Become a person of solitude and retreat.

David was a man of retreat. Three thousand years ago David penned these words into his prayer journal. Today we call it Psalm 55 (HCSB). His longing speaks of his escape hatch.

If only I had wings of a dove! I would fly away and find rest . . .
I would hurry to my place of shelter from the raging wind and the storm.

Summer is a wonderful time for retreat (whether you’re reading this from the northern or southern hemisphere!) Can I challenge you? Can I challenge you to plan a time of retreat in the next 6 weeks? Shoot for one hour off the beaten path. Perhaps this season of life might allow for 2, 3, 6 hours of retreat. Go for it, but don’t discredit the power of an hour. The time frame doesn’t matter, but the commitment does.

We need escape hatches, but if they don’t point us to Jesus, they set into motion a destructive pattern that veers our hearts away from what we need most.

For retreat to become our “go-to” escape hatch, we must become familiar with it. We must have tasted the rewards and know the delight in His Presence.

• Are you ready to commit to a retreat? Share your resolve with others and invite/challenge a friend to consider it, as well.
• Would you like a launching pad? Email us. We’d love to send you a 4-page retreat resource called “Come Away.” 

Where are you today? Are you eyeballing an escape hatch?

David, claiming the resources of his “go to” escape hatch, cried out to God while on retreat.

Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in You.
I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings . . .
Psalm 57:1 (HCSB)

May the shadow of His wings be all we need and so much more.

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