This is Your Way Out

I remember being on a high school trip with friends when we stumbled upon a sign that instead of “exit” declared: Way Out

My classmates and I grew up in the generation behind the 60’s, so we were familiar enough with the no-longer-cool vernacular. We sniggered at the sign.

“Yo homie,” we said to each other, “You’re way out. You’re so groovy, this is your way out.”

The things that entertained us. (shrug)

I thought of that sign in a less sniggery way the other day. I thought of how the Bible promises that in the flames of temptation, God will provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV).

The way out never seems so evident in the moment.

Or maybe just not as enticing.

I think, for example, about the phone that rings at an (in)opportune time. It’s easy to ignore. But it might be your way out.

That dog that whines, that cat that runs across the counter, that noise from outside that distracts you for a moment. That might be your way out.

Subtler still:

That image that flashes through your mind of a loved one’s face. Your child, your parent, your spouse, your friend.

A hesitancy. That question: Is this wrong? Am I losing control? Have I crossed a line?

God does not ever stay our hand. God only stays our heart. And that is easy to ignore.

But that whisper of doubt might be your way out. Doubt might be God’s quiet goodness.

Don’t miss the sign. If you are struggling today, then this is your encouragement. This is the first whisper. Keep looking, keep listening. Practically speaking, latch on to whatever distraction leads you back out from where you have slid in.

May God break the heart of each one of us when we are going astray. May we hear the whisper, this is the way. And may God’s spirit grow in us the determination and self-control to turn, and walk in it (Isaiah 30:21).

You are so groovy. God loves you with a psychedelic love. He has given you a way out, in little ways right now and in big ways over time.

Look for your way out.

Take it.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)