Exit Strategy
One day I was striving forward, kicking stones and leaping over obstacles. I trudged through the unfamiliar jungle, whipping my machete back and forth to cut down the forbidding overgrowth that tried to hold me back. I could hear the rushing water of our meeting place, though I was still a long way off. I could picture the deep green pastures there beside the freshwater stream.
Equipped with purpose and power, knowing that my Master waited there for me, having prepared an unbelievable picnic spread under sprawling trees and a tapestry of wildflowers, I fought through the chaos with the knowledge (not just hope) that He was there and that we would soon be together and delight in one another’s company with food, drink, conversation, and laughter.
But it was getting dark, and I was still quite a distance from my Master’s presence. I continued slicing my way through the branches, but I was becoming exhausted and thirsty; and I began to feel alone knowing I was deep in a treacherous territory where bands of thieves reside and where vicious beasts prowl waiting to devour me. It got to the point where I had to take more and more frequent rests to gather my strength while trying to remain vigilant. At one point, however, when I was most weary and very slow to get up, it’s then that I heard a strange yet familiar voice speak to me and begin to share with me a gentler, simpler path through the dangerous unknown.
I knew this familiar voice was certainly not the voice of my Master, though he spoke with kind and similar words. Then the man stepped out of the shadows, though I still couldn’t quite see his face. He showed me visions of a “better” place where I didn’t have to be alone on the journey; a place where I could be in the company of other folks who had chosen to abandon, what he called, “their fruitless endeavors.” But he offered me riches and glories of my own, even though that’s not at all what I sought at that moment.
He then showed me a vision of a life where everyone approved of me and all that I did or had ever done, and who also adored me. He showed me how, by simply laying down my machete and my protective gear, I could have all that the world had to offer. Because he could take me to that safe place, I wouldn’t need any weapons or defenses. He slowly reminded me of all the current challenges I faced, and showed me that the answer to each and every one was to simply walk away.
He asked rhetorically, “Why are you fighting so hard for these things that bring no reward—no happiness? Are they really that important in the big picture? If you can’t take it with you, do your relationships really matter? Does the work you do really matter? What benefit is there in serving the ungrateful?
“I suggest it’s time you put together an exit strategy. You need to start considering what you’re gonna do after you’ve been betrayed. ‘Cause I’m telling you, when all of your so-called ‘friends’ find out who you really are and the kind of person you are deep down inside, they’ll abandon you. So you have to keep your distance, my friend, and be ready to run at a moment’s notice.
“Meanwhile, the one you call ‘Master’ is off somewhere enjoying his own party without you, with the ones he really cares about. To him, you’re out-of-sight and out-of-mind. Sure, he’ll let you hang out with him when it’s convenient, but what’s he ever done for you, really? Other than putting limitations on you and telling you all the things you can’t do to have fun and be happy, what evidence do you have that he keeps his promises? He never answers your prayers or petitions. And of all the things you’ve accomplished on your own, and all the times you failed, where was he? Did he keep you from stubbing your toe or experiencing tremendous pain? Did he show up to congratulate you when you were victorious and had to overcome your enemies by your own strength and wit? Of course not! He’s all words and no actions!
“But I tell you, my friend, I only want what’s best for you. I want you to have fun and I want you to be happy! Isn’t that what’s most important? I will help you fulfill your deepest desires. Just show me instead the love and attention you’ve wasted on him, and you can have it all.”
It made me think. At that moment, he sounded so right. His words seemed so true, and I found myself beginning to come into agreement with them. Indeed, why must I have to fight so hard in this life to have anything good? Why does my Master always seem so far away? And yes, if my friends really knew what a wretched man I was, they would quickly abandon me, that’s for sure. It all sounded so reasonable . . .
But then, all of a sudden, there was something like thunder that overwhelmed all of my senses; yet was filled with indescribable love. I heard His voice: “Where are you?”
Then I remembered the Word of the Lord:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“I’m here, Lord.”
My Master didn’t just step into the light, He became the light all around me! And the one who had been speaking disappeared far away, scurrying to find the shadows. Instantly, Jesus’ eyes met mine.
“Why were you hiding?” He asked.
“I was ashamed,” I replied. “I just got tired of trying so hard to be worthy of your love while working so hard to hide who I really am. I knew I was naked, and I didn’t want anyone to see.”
But He responded, “Who told you that you were naked? Look! I have clothed you with my righteousness! I have made you worthy; you can neither improve nor destroy my opinion of you! Because who you really are is quite obvious to me: you are my child. And I love you!
“I see before me the one that I designed; that I created. Remember, I made all the delicate, inner parts of your body and knit you together in your mother’s womb
So I asked Him, “Then why is life so hard sometimes? Why do the valleys get so dark, and the winds so cold? Why do I have to go through everything on my own? Where do you go when I need you the most?”
“Why do you choose to go through it alone?” Jesus said. “There are so many who love you that I have put in your life to help you. You have so many brothers and sisters to walk with you on your journey. They will gladly help shoulder your burden when it is heavy, and in turn you can shoulder theirs when yours is light. As you are in me, so I am in them.”
Then I remembered the Word of the Lord:
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:30
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
“So why are you here?” He continued. “What are you hoping to accomplish? What is your purpose in this place?”
“To love you with all my heart, all of my mind, all of my soul, and all of my strength,” I said. “And to love others as I love myself, and that by doing so, I might draw them to you.”
“But?”
“I don’t always love myself.”
“Ah, I see.”
Without moving, He seemed to draw Himself closer to me because His radiance began to shine brighter than before (if that were even possible) until I could see nothing but Him. He cupped my face with His hands and spoke deep into my soul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”
Overwhelmed by that grace, the truth of His love seemed to drive all my shame away in that instant.
“You hungry?” He asked. “Follow me.”
Then my Lord reached down and picked up the machete I’d dropped. He looked at me and said, “You mind if I give it a go?” He winked at me, turned, and began clearing a path back toward the river. After a couple of swings He stopped again to look at me and said, “I hope you don’t mind, I invited a few friends.”
The Lord is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.
He takes me to lush pastures,
he leads me to refreshing water.
He restores my strength.
He leads me down the right paths
for the sake of his reputation.
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff reassure me.
You prepare a feast before me
in plain sight of my enemies.
You refresh my head with oil;
my cup is completely full.
Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days,
and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life.Psalm 23 NET
