HOW DO I ESCAPE?

Recently, I listened to someone preach about how God rescues us from Egypt, in His sovereignty, by His power, to do what we can't do.   But, then it's up to us to let go of the Egypt in us.   

That resonates with me because that's the process He's taken me through, over the last  three years.  

How do I escape the Egypt that's still IN me, that's still a part of me because I was there for so long, because I was held captive for so long?  

These are my thoughts on ESCAPE, written for Five Minute Friday, partly inspired by recent conversations with friends over shared struggles.   

How do I escape 

the voices in my head?

the lies

that tell me I'm less than,

will always be less than,

that I don't belong

that I will never be enough,

that I have to pretend, 

and perform, 

and be quiet

to fit in 

How do I escape

the script in my head?

the script that I practise 

over and over,

the conversations 

and the what-ifs,

so that I'm ready 

for the worst-case scenario

that I'm sure is coming,

because it's happened before,

more than once,

and could easily happen again

How do I escape 

the dysfunction

in relationships?

the insecurity,

the inferiority,

the fears

that plague

my every interaction,

my every attempt

to build 

healthy connection

How do I escape

the judgements?

from others,

from myself,

that cripple me

and intimidate me,

that take my voice

that keep His treasure

trapped inside

this jar of clay

because it's not

'good enough'

How do I escape

the temptations?

that lure me away

from His real life,

His nourishment,

His fulfilment,

His provision,

the addictions 

to things not bad,

but not good for me

How do I escape

the treadmill

of busyness?

that makes me 

look productive,

feel productive,

that gives me

some measure of

purpose

and control,

that distracts me

from all that 

He has for me

How do I escape 

the memories 

and the pain?

of the past 

that want to 

hijack the present 

and sabotage 

my future,

that keep my heart

and my head

locked 

in a pain-filled place

How do I escape

the revolving doors

Of fear?

that keep me inside

my 'safe' place,

that keep me

from the abundant life

that He promises,

if only I will

step outside

and try again,

not alone,

but with Him

How do I escape

the weight 

of too much responsibility?

for problems 

I can't fix

people I can't help

pain I can't heal

broken hearts I can't mend

answers I can't find

burdens I can't carry

How do I escape

the remnants of Egypt 

in me?

remnants of slavery,

of captivity,

of oppression

and brokenness

that still lurk

deep in my soul,

that I accommodate

and sometimes entertain,

because they're familiar

and comfortable

Where do I escape to?

Where can I go 

to get away from all of it?

to make it stop,

to keep it quiet,

to take away

its power over me,

to get some rest

and peace,

to live 

free of it

Where can I go to escape?

I can go to Him,

sit at His feet,

sit in His quiet,

rest in His hands,

under His wings,

listen to His voice,

the voice of truth.

That's my escape!

He IS my escape!  

There is no need 

for any other escape

And when I escape there,

for minutes or hours

at a time,

I come out 

strengthened,

renewed,

refreshed,

enlightened,

encouraged,

nourished,

changed,

ready

to try again

and to live 

just a little bit more free 

than I was before.

He IS my escape.

https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2019/08/15/the-light-of-jesus-to-be-revealed/

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.   2 Cor 3:17

You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Ps 16:11

And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Exod 33:14

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Heb 4:16

More than I could ask or imagine

In You I will find every blessing

More than I could ask or imagine

In You I will find every blessing

Let Your presence cover me

Let Your presence cover me

In Your presence I receive

Far beyond what I could fathom