Trading Places

I guess a common coping mechanism is trying to escape the present reality through a variety of means- drugs, alcohol, work, children, hobbies, entertainment. I’ve found my heart and mind wandering into escapism over the last 5 weeks. Nothing too drastic, but there’s definitely been a nagging desire to pursue something to get me out of the place that I currently find myself. Again, not uncommon as we mourn, grieve, and try to find what the “new normal” will be.

As I’ve done this, I have thought about another movie- I know, I know, you’re very surprised by this. Well, its a classic movie about race, class struggle, love, and finding your place in this world. And orange juice.

The movie is “Trading Places”. Though I can’t totally recommend it, I have thought about it some over the last weeks. The idea of trading being a “handicapped”, impoverished, homeless man to living in the lap of luxury with no (apparent) strings attached can seem attractive. But as I thought about it more, it has become apparent that 1) you can’t run from the problems that life presents you with and 2) there really isn’t anyone I’d rather switch places with.

Really, who could I trade places with and avoid the problems of life? The grotesquely rich golfer who squanders it all on extra-marital affairs? The well-to-do son of a banker who chooses to try to take down an international flight? The latest lottery winner who loses it all and family and friends along the way? The Hollywood couple that has it all and then divorces after 23 years?

I guess what I came to realize is that God has me on this path- not on their path. The troubles of today are enough for me to handle and I shouldn’t look for someone else’s “ease” or “pain” to compare myself to. Life is precious- every minute of it- and as I’m driven to my Father he makes my place do-able and endurable.

So, we can’t trade places and to desire that is to desire less than what God has for us. That desire is my flesh’s way of avoiding pain at all costs and thus results in more flesh and less Christlikeness.

And I forget that somebody traded places with me, not for a move up in life but for a move down. Christ took my place in his incarnation and death and resurrection and ascension and glorification and he offers me a place with him if I remain in the place he has me in now. I will pray that my desires match my reality and that I seek all of the good that my Father has for me in this place until he takes us to another place. Not somewhere different regarding my physical address- but somewhere different regarding my spiritual, mental and emotional condition.

I will lift my eyes to the hills from where my help comes; I will wait upon the Lord so that I can rise up on eagles’ wings; I will stand and stand firm and, after having done all else, I will stand in this place.