Have you ever experienced the thrill of going to an escape room? I have participated in this experience two times. Both times, as the time ticks away, my heart starts racing and pounding. I begin with the thought, “OK, we can do this.” By the end, while running around frantically and going against the clock, the stress starts to take over. Fortunately, I had very logical people with me, and we made it out before the final seconds ticked off.
We all experience times that we want to “escape” from. Webster defines escape as to get away from or to free of. As I was thinking about this concept, I saw how life sometimes is like trying to get out of an escape room. At times, it feels like there are a lot of clues that I need to solve to move on to the next thing. The longer I am “stuck” in a room, the more my heart starts racing. I grow increasingly frustrated when I can’t figure out how to escape. Just like the two times of the escape rooms, I feel like sitting down on the floor and waiting for someone to solve the clues so I can move on to the next phase.
Finally, the clues align, and the door to the next room opens. No season lasts forever, and we move on to the next phase. At first, we feel relieved that we are free from the last season or room, but then the reality that more clues need to be solved or overcome sets in. We realize that to move forward and progress, we must start all over, trying to escape from our current surroundings. In the escape room scenario, this only lasts for an hour. We will either solve all the clues or not, but there is a definite time limit, not so in life. Some seasons seem to last a very long time with no way to escape. However, I know from my experience that nothing lasts forever. I don’t know how long I will experience different times in life, but I know there is an end and a new beginning. I grow frustrated in the escape rooms because I know each clue has an answer, but some are difficult to figure out. I grow frustrated in life because sometimes the way forward is fuzzy, and I am not sure I am doing the correct thing to progress on my journey. Just like I would never attempt to solve an escape room alone, I should not attempt to solve life’s journey alone but rely on God’s help, direction, and intervention.
One of the nice things about solving the clues in an escape room is that there is someone you can call out to, and they will provide a clue. They watch the participants on a camera and know exactly what we are doing. Sometimes, I bet they are sitting there either laughing at the antics or shaking their heads in dismay. Well, there is help available. First, you must realize that you need help and be willing to ask. Sometimes, the players’ pride will not allow them to ask for help, but the more time passes, the more they realize some help may be in order. I thought about times when I stubbornly pursued my way and did not ask God for help. I keep doing the same thing, reading the same “clues” and not progressing toward release into the next room or season of life. Finally, out of desperation and with a heart pounding, I turn and ask God for help. God is always with me, watching me, and willing to provide direction and clues, but I must first ask. I am always surprised by how easy it is and how faithful God is to give the help I am seeking. Psalm 121 is an excellent psalm about God being with us on a journey. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight,” assures us that God will help and direct us as we lean on him.
Another idea I have considered while contemplating my experiences in the escape rooms is that you must rely on your team members to succeed. Each person brings something to the experience. It is not just about the people who finally solve the clue but about everyone in the experience contributing. Some people are there encouraging the players, some people keep the team on track, someone finally says, “We need help,” and someone figures out the clue. These “someones” change as you go through the game. Everyone is essential. This idea is also accurate in our Christian faith. Ephesians 4:11-12 states, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teacher to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Also, each of us has talents, abilities, and as believers in Christ, spiritual gifts. These talents and gifts are not just for us to enjoy but to help others as we all journey through life.
The final clue is solved, and the last door swings open. The relief, laughter, and joy spread. The participants are so happy they were successful. The hugs and congratulations spread from one team member to another. I picture heaven being like this. The celebration begins when we finally go through the last room on our journey and, as believers in Christ, reach heaven’s shores. Other saints are there to welcome us into the freedom we have been seeking here on earth.
Each trial we successfully complete on earth prepares us for the next. The first experience of an escape room prepared me for the second. I knew how to play the game a little better. The highs and lows of life are inevitable. No season lasts forever; remember what Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3 about there being a time for everything. Freedom is waiting for each of us. Escaping from life is not possible. However, we can learn and grow with each experience. Laughter and joy are possible as we journey and rely on the people we are journeying with.
Not all of life is a chore. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the escape rooms. Yes, there was stress and chaos, but laughter and fun as well. Our difficult seasons of life are filled with anxiety and chaos, but it is also possible to experience joy. I am not suggesting that in every situation you will be able to find joy; some things in life are absolutely horrible, but in stressful and chaotic times, look for joy. Look for the good; I am positive you will find something good to praise God for and find joy in the day.
I am so glad I participated in two escape room games. I learned a tremendous amount about myself and God. We were successful and gained our freedom. As I journey through life, I pray that I will be a good team player, helping those that God puts in my path, and one day, I will gain eternal freedom and hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Trust God to get you through the tough times you want to escape. You will learn, grow, and know that God is always with you, no matter the circumstances. (Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20)
Peace in the Desert 