Escape the Dory way ->

In Finding Nemo, Dory [reading a door] says Hey, look. "Esc-a-pay". I wonder what that means? That's funny, it's spelled just like the word "escape."

Sometimes we all need a way out, a break through or a quick exit.

Spiders have a get out of jail free card in this house, they are captured and evicted with a stern warning. Flies are also encouraged to leave of their own accord, rather than being destroyed by a swatter. I once killed a fly, by accident - ninja style, by flicking a teatowel at him as a warning shot. It was no warning shot and the fly dropped to the floor dead. I was stunned at this so far undiscovered talent, and apologised profusely but it was too little too late.

Life often throws us challenges which can put us in a tough position; such as an awkward meeting or difficult presentation of work. Or life can do a worse thing and give you a situation that is relentless. That does not pass after a meeting, or a tough day. A situation that breaks your heart and wears you down, stripping you of all that you believed was good and true and right.

One of the frustrating habits of flies is their reluctance to look further than their situation *bang* against a window, then *bang* again against a window, then *bang* again against the same window, and all the while, just a short distance away there is another window wide open.

Escapes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some are marked, others aren't. Sometimes we misread the sign, like Dory. Sometimes we keep banging on at the same shut way out. Then that eats away at our faith, we wonder where God has gone, why he hasn't turned up. Hasn't fixed it.

God does not give us dead ends. He does not take us down a path which is false or labelled incorrectly. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This verse from Jeremiah 29 shows that we can trust God to have a plan. A good plan.  Although it might not be an ejector seat style plan, it might be a roll up your sleeves and tough it out plan. In each case there is the fact that we need to learn how to realise that plan. How to find the open window, read the signs and find the escape route.

Deuteronomy 31 says "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” And this is echoed in Joshua 1:9 ^"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Have a 'Dory' moment. Read the exit signs properly and just keep swimming.
 
(Image from tumblr.com)