the great escape

escapism.



We all crave it, all long for it, all desire it. Call it what you will, downtime, "me" time, personal time - we are all trying to get away from the problems and pressures of the real world and away from ourselves. Whether it's road trips, camping, international travel, movies, music, video games, fantasy football, reading, working out, bar hopping - we are all searching for something more because we are desperately hoping that true meaning and purpose to life doesn't terminate on ourselves. Most of us are probably too caught up in a "me" driven society to realize that's what's driving the underlying current of discontent, but when you stop filling your day and your mind with a never-ending stream of media, and think about what's really there, what's left of your life when you strip away all the superficiality and menial daily tasks, don't you hope and pray to God that there's still something left? Something there worthwhile, life-changing, world-changing, miracle inducing?



Still not you, you say? You long for nothing? Think of the millions of Americans who run everyday - yes, it's great exercise, but yes, anyone who runs will tell you what a great escape it is, what a thrilling feeling it is to leave the rest of the world behind for just a little while and pound out the pavement, or better yet, a nature trail. We are running from the shallow meaninglessness of the consumer-driven life, running to get back to nature and our natural selves. Anyone seen Avatar? Pocahontas? any movie ever where people are running barefoot through the woods? There's something in us that knows there's something wrong with the world, we are in a broken, fallen state; there is a disconnect from the natural state where we came from, and we crave to return to that perfect, blissful, unashamed nakedness and harmonious serenity.



The whole food and organic movement, and even those silly looking five-finger shoes are proof of man's desire to return to a more natural, healthy state of being - we've tried doing life the processed, packaged, factory brand, sterile lifestyle, and guess what? It didn't work. We ended up with a morbidly obese nation with more psychological disorders and issues than the rest of the world. We are depressed - not because we don't have enough, but because we have too much; too many options, and too much stuff. We are stuffing ourselves with too much food, internet, toys, and information, instead of embracing the peacefulness of simple living and investing in the lives and community around us. We don't even know our neighbors, but we could narrate every episode of Lost or Grey's Anatomy. What's wrong with this picture? Mankind was meant to connect with each other and with God - maybe it's time to switch of the tv or computer, and get real - whether it's having an actual conversation with your neighbor, or hitting your knees and getting real with God.



What will you choose? To perpetuate the endless, monotonous, unsatisfying cycle, or to break out of the quiet desperation of your heart and begin to live authentically?