Wanna Get Away?
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! –
Psalms 139:7
Psalms 55:2-7
2 Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
4 My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.
5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.
6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!
7 I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.
Southwest Airlines ran its unforgettable “Wanna Get Away” marketing campaign from 1998 to 2008. The campaign humorously highlighted awkward and cringe-worthy situations and quickly became an instant success after its debut. Characters in these ads yearned for an escape after experiencing some embarrassing mishap.
The clever campaign used a catchy tagline to highlight the low-cost, affordable fares offered by Southwest Airlines. One memorable commercial from this series portrayed a nosey guest while snooping around her host’s bathroom. She began to rummage through the medicine cabinet. Suddenly, without warning, the cabinet’s shelves collapsed, causing a loud, disorderly mess of medicine bottles and pills scattered everywhere. Another commercial spotlighted a museum curator meticulously explaining the art of “sand painting,” only to have a spectator sneeze and scatter sand everywhere, ruining the artwork.
Perhaps the most uncomfortable moment occurred when a law enforcement officer conducted a live interview with an informant in a dimly lit room. The informant, whose voice was disguised to protect his identity, was detailing his infiltration into a notorious criminal gang. Suddenly, an assistant entered the room with coffee, switched on the lights, and unintentionally exposed the informant’s identity.
Each ad ended with a shot of the mortified individual, followed by the question, “Wanna Get Away?” Subsequently, Southwest Airlines’ budget-friendly fares were showcased as the ideal way to escape.
Who among us hasn’t felt a strong desire to escape at some point? When we face trials and consider fleeing, it should not astonish us that even great faith leaders have experienced moments of intense struggle. Jeremiah yearned for a remote refuge to escape the chaos and turmoil of his times (Jeremiah 9:12). As did Elijah (1 Kings 19).
Jeremiah 9:2 Oh, that I could go away and forget my people and live in a travelers’ shack in the desert.
The prophet Elijah caved and succumbed to the urge to flee.
1 Kings 19:2-5
2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow, I have not killed you just as you killed them.”
3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.
4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.
It was a temporary lapse of faith and courage. The Father soon restored Elijah and returned him to service.
1 Kings 19:13-15
13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
15 Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came . . ..
REFLECT & PRAY
“When the walls close in and the floor gives way, we often wish we could be anywhere but where God has put us. Trusting God, however, means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees” (Stanley).
Father thank You that You are my safe place and my protector. I trust You will see me through even the most embarrassing and challenging times.
INSIGHT
When we find ourselves in the midst of trouble, our first thought is, “How can I get out of this?” But the dedicated believer needs to ask, “What can I get out of this?” (Wiersbe).
The Lord Jesus Christ became fully human. In His humanity, He underwent real struggles and temptations just as we do.
Hebrews 4:15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
Even the Lord Jesus Christ grappled with the desire to escape the impending suffering and agony of death by crucifixion.
Luke 22:42 Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.
The Lord Jesus Christ cautioned the children of the King to anticipate severe and daunting situations in the world. Yet, He offered a remarkable promise. During our bleakest, most frightening, or humiliating moments, we are to remember that He has already triumphed over the world.
John 16:33 Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Why a dove? Doves are creatures of gentleness and exhibit gentleness and harmless behavior. They are renowned for their beauty, vulnerability, and unwavering loyalty to their mates. A dove’s demeanor is gentle; it neither fights nor defends itself.
Despite being a target, doves seldom fall prey due to their remarkable speed and agility, allowing them to evade predators effectively.
Doves have mastered the art of evasion from threats and can cover substantial distances quickly. They find safety high up in the rock crevices, where they take refuge.
David voices his yearning for the tranquility and safety embodied by doves. Of course, David’s wish is not to transform into a dove but to possess their capabilities. He proclaims, “If only I had such abilities, I would fly away and find rest.”
But why simply escape? “But we don’t need wings like a dove so we can fly away from the storm. We need wings like an eagle so we can fly above the storm (Isaiah 40:30-31)” (Wiersbe).
Isaiah 40:31 Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Why fly away under the radar when you can soar high above it?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
© Dr. H 2023
Dr H Reflections 