What We Escape to Holds us Captive

It's Election Night 2012 in America and I was finishing my workout when I began to talk with the Lord.  I had prayed sporadically about this election and direction our nation was headed today and just started up a conversation with God again.  I asked Him what was keeping His people from a more dedicated life of seeking His Will, not just for our country but our lives?  Then the Lord revealed to me that I try to escape from the difficult things, circumstances, pains, times, persecutions or their perceptions.  I was self medicating!

People have been "self medicating" themselves with drugs an alcohol since their development.  What most don't realize is that the "average christian" also self medicates, we just use music, food, politics, sports, exercise, television, work and fellowship just to name a few.  There is nothing inherently evil about any of those mentioned, HOEWEVER...  I have been tricked into wanting to try and escape from or get some relief from my life around me when I should be running to the One who can deliver me from not just my circumstances, but the fear and apprehension they produce.

My escape is science fiction tv.  A century ago most of the distractions we use as people, whether of faith or not, did not even exist.  My Bride Carey, asked me the other day if I did not have Caleb (our youngest) to care for during the day, what would I do with myself?  I thought for a few moments and said I would volunteer at our church.  Whether I would or not is not the point.  The point is that I have been duped into putting more obstacles in the way of my relationship with God.  I haven't been escaping from my problems, my problems have taken me captive and I, again, have proven to be my biggest enemy.
(Eph 4:8 NKJV)
Therefore He says: "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."

"Led captivity captive"; Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Christ conquered Satan and death, and in triumph returned to God those who were once sinners and prisoners of Satan.    John MacArthur

Rom 6:20-23 NLT
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.
And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.
But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you want to be SET FREE?

Blessings
ernie