Getaway

The target is reached. The goal has been met. You’ve read the book, watched the movie. Mission now accomplished, there’s nothing left to do.

Well, nothing except the most obvious: Leave.

While the temptation to linger will be strong, don’t. Get out of the enemy territory immediately. A mission’s success will only accentuate your presence and this moment could be your greatest point of danger: Your pride of accomplishment could lead to your downfall.

Rather, follow Christ’s example when he accomplished the greatest mission of all time, the redemption of humanity, and make a quick exit: “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

So how do we do this?

1. Get out. Don’t stay in the realm of the enemy. If reading book 1 accomplished what you set out to do, don’t bother finishing the series.

2. Debrief. Write out what you learned. Talk it over with a friend. Then lay it aside. Don’t keep turning what you read and saw over and over in your mind.

3. Clean up and recharge. Penetrating the enemy’s territory is dirty work. Now is a good time to spend some extra time in Scripture or pull out a favorite movie to counterbalance where you have been. Replace the bad with good.

4. Celebrate. You accomplished your mission! Congratulations. Thank God for His help and guidance, and treat yourself to something special.