Escape or Fulfillment?

These are the options we are presented with in life's difficulties. Do we take the easy way out or do we endure the path that we are on. I can think of particular examples in my own life when I took the escape route. One regret I had in college was staying home when I had a final presentation. I was so gripped with anxiety about presenting that I had stayed home. The result was an obvious "F" on the final presentation and a "D" in the class which I had to retake. I would submit though, that even in our wrong choices, God was still good and I met some solid believers when I retook the class during the summer. I also learned more the second time. The fact still remains that taking the escape always makes for a longer journey. Wiersbe begins this chapter with the example of Jesus.

"When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter tried to defend him with a sword. Jesus rebuked Peter and said, "Don't you know that I could ask my Father and he would give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled?" In this statement, Jesus is telling us that there are two ways to face the crises of life--escape or fulfillment. Which of these approaches do you follow?" (p. 45)

Jesus had the attitude and perspective of fulfillment. Peter, on the other hand had the action of escape. He was ready to take his sword and defend Jesus. Jesus could have easily overpowered the officers who arrested Him, but He willingly went to fulfill the will of God. Peter's method was irrational. He had a sword, but he was no match for the many officers. Peter's trade was a fisherman, not some skilled in fighting. Yet, we can see his determination to defend Jesus. Sometimes, the escape route is irrational and doesn't make sense.

"Before we criticize Peter too much, let's look at our own lives. How many times have we tried to escape when we should have surrendered to the will of God? Don't all of us have scars from battles that should never have been fought? I'm sure we do. Trying to escape the crisis is the natural thing to do, but this doesn't make it right. After all, as Christians we live on a much higher plane--we live by faith, not by sight.

Every life has its Gethsemane experiences. There are those hours when the forces of evil seem to swoop down upon us and capture us. When our plans fall apart. The burdens become almost unbearable. We wonder what can happen next. In those crisis hours of life just keep in mind what Jesus did--He surrendered and permitted His Father in heaven to work out His plan. Jesus did not choose escape; He chose fulfillment." (p. 46)

Surrender. This is one of those key Christian words that we hear sermons about but are so difficult to practice. Living a life in surrendering to God's will is far more difficult than it sounds. We walk by faith and not by sight. So often we choose sight over faith. Peter chose sight although it wasn't really the rational thing to do. He did what any loyal disciple would do, defend his rabbi. Peter did not have in mind God's ultimate will which needed to be fulfilled. He did not surrender. Sometimes God calls us to do things that go totally counter to what we think is best.

Wiersbe then brings out one of my favorite promises from Scripture, Romans 8:28.

"If you are yielded to Christ, your life is not a series of accidents; it is a series of appointments. That God has a plan for you is vitally important. If God doesn't have a plan, then life has no meaning. Suffering is in vain; sacrifice is meaningless. If there is no design for our lives, then there is nothing to fulfill and the logical thing to do is escape. But there is a heavenly design. The will of God for you is the expression of His love for you. This explains that wonderful promise, Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." escape, but fulfillment this is the lesson Jesus teaches us in the Garden of Gethsemane. He could have summoned the armies of heaven to deliver Him, but instead He surrendered that God's purposes might be fulfilled. And He knew when He surrendered that it would mean shame, suffering, and death. By yielding to the hands of sinful men He was actually asking for suffering! But it was the will of God, and that was all that mattered. And what was the result? Resurrection and glory.! The cross was not the end; the empty tomb was the end. He fulfilled the will of God and entered into glory" (p. 47)

God works out all things together for good. This is fulfillment. The way in which He does this doesn't always makes sense. The cross does not make sense to many. I like this part where it says the will of God is His expression of love for us. God's love is His ultimate best for us. He doesn't want us to remain where we are at. He has so much more for us than we could ever imagine. There is a heavenly design.

"You and I have yielded our lives to Jesus Christ; He is our Savior and Lord. He has promised never to leave us or to forsake us. He does not promise to deliver us out of every crisis, but He does promise to bring us through. He wants us to practice fulfillment, not escape; and He has set the example for us. In Him we see that the will of God is the best thing, the only thing. Instead of running away', run into the arms of your loving heavenly Father and let Him fulfill His wonderful purposes in your life today." (p. 48)

Prayer:

Father, thank You always for the example of Jesus. In times of difficulty, I like to run away. Jesus did not run away. He committed Himself into Your care. Likewise that must be our attitude, posture, and desire. You've reminded us that You never leave us nor forsake us and surely You are with us in these difficulties and will bring us through. It is Sunday night, and I have a ton of worries about my life concerning health, work, and singleness. I commit these worries into Your care and ask that Your Spirit develop in me confidence and hope.