Escapism is the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant circumstances or realities. We may achieve this relief through entertainment, recreation, hard work, drugs or fantasy. Usually, when a person get addicted to drugs, it is an effort to escape an unpleasant reality. In David’s case, his life was threatened by a friend who betrayed him and David came so close to death that he was terrified. In that moment of fear and anxiety, David prayed, “I wish I had wings like a dove, so I could fly away and be at peace.”

Hey, there is nothing wrong with David’s desire for peace and security. Only a fool would pray to be on someone’s hit list. A powerful person had a contract on his life and David was feeling very insecure. He longed to be like a bird because they have a distinct advantage over their predators and over we humans; they have wings. In seconds a dove can escape danger by taking flight. They can fly above the fray and they leave no tracts for those who would hunt them. Have you ever saw a dove in a storm? Birds don’t do storms; instinctively they fly away from or above the storms. They are the ultimate escape artist.

So, David is wishing he could be like a bird and escape his problems by getting away from the storm and the turmoil. BUT we are not birds and God is not pleased when we run from our problems. Little children use fantasy as an escape valve and that is a God given survival instinct but a part of growing up is learning to face reality whether it is pleasant or not. By the way, there is one bird that doesn’t fly away to escape reality, it buries its head in the sand. Its the Ostrich and it is a stupid bird. [Job 39:13-18]

Sometimes I use an egg for an illustration. A bird egg preferably: I hold the egg up and ask the audience if they think it can fly. Of course, no one thinks the egg can fly. The truth is: potentially, the egg can fly but not in the egg stage. We are in the egg stage and we can’t fly at present but potentially we will fly away to glory. I’m not saying that we are going to have wings but we are going to defy the law of gravity. I worked a 7 on 7 football camp a couple of weeks ago. As I watched those kids run, jump, dive for the ball…I thought to myself, “There was a time when I could do that.” But I don’t want to go back. I do not want to be young again. I can’t run and I certainly can’t jump but one day I will fly. Keep that in mind: one of these days we will fly away and be at rest.

Extra

My apology to the Point; I got a little carried away last night and lost track of time. I do love and appreciate Psalm 143. I love the Psalms period. I appreciate you reading the blog and I hope you have a great day. Friday is coming!