The Divine Escape

Escape. Is it a way to avoid reality? Is it a means of running away from something or
someone? In the last few years, escape rooms have become a popular fad, especially for
youngsters. It’s an interactive, immersive game room, sometimes even mobile, where players create teams and compete against each other. They search for hidden clues to crack codes to ultimately solve a puzzle within a restricted amount of time. Best described by my fifteen-year-old grandson, the room often looks mysterious, with echoing sounds, emitting a stale odor, feeling rough to the human touch, and leaves a bitter taste, in a manner of speaking.

Our own desires to escape life’s trials are somewhat different, yet similar. I imagine if one
of my grandkids heard me say that I wanted to try an escape room, they would probably chuckle. But I think sometimes our own urges to run away from life’s realities can be due to feeling inadequate and afraid. Afraid to face the unknown and sometimes even having to face the inevitable. The thought of strapping a large apparatus to my head and flailing my arms around in a big empty room can be intimidating, I suppose, but then again, it may be good for me, who knows. With arms swinging and legs nervously dancing, I imagine the exercise could likely help with releasing tension and even anger. Um, I don’t think so. Sounds like a recipe for stress to me.

When life’s circumstances change from comfortable to chaotic and sometimes even tragic
and traumatized, where can we escape to become settled or even grow into this new life-change? Do we escape by running away? Do we escape to avoid face-to-face reality? Ironically, running to an escape room may be our way of negating the fear and even necessary confrontation.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, there is an escape room that exudes light, that gifts
glimpses of hope, and that overflows with ability and boldness. It is the quiet room, the holy
room, the room that accepts anger and invites tears. Words aren’t even necessary. You’re invited to sit in this room, whether to wage war or to surrender tenderly.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ~ Matthew 6:6

Remember, this room is available every day and every hour. There’s no need to wait in
long lines or make a reservation. You don’t even have to wait for your friends to show up. This divine escape room is a place set aside for you and God. It is acceptance and unconditional love. It is timely. It is safe. It is love.

These conversations between you and the Master in this secret place are private. Whether
it’s a time to sigh, a time to scream, a time to fight, a time to weep, or a time to worship, it’s just you and Him. He knows and He understands. There is no dark mystery, no loud banging noise, no staleness, no roughness, and no bitter taste. Here is where you’ll receive light, peaceful quiet, tender forgiveness, comfort, and sweet freedom. And here is where He will do His greatest work in you. Undeniably, you will receive all you need, for here in this room you are on holy ground.

-Sherri J. Cullison