Length: 5 minutes

People without Jesus need constant “escapes from reality.” They try to drown out the reality of their world with things like drugs, alcohol, parties, TV, video games, vacations, and even sleep. They are happiest when they are not remembering the real world, but for a believer, it’s all the contrary. We are happiest when our eyes are opened to our world.

The truth is, this present time, this present world, is an evil one. Galatians 1:4 says as much. You might’ve heard the song that says, “And I think to myself, what a wonderful world,” but I think that song conveniently leaves out all the heartache toil, and suffering in this “wonderful world.” God did initially create the world to be wonderful, but the present state of this world is the furthest thing from the way God created it. And so, this is why Jesus came to redeem us from this world, and all the evil of it.

Galatians 1:4 (NKJV) who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father…

Jesus came to redeem us from this present age and to give us something better. We have all the things of heaven living on the inside of us now. All the things that are pure, lovely, and of a good report (Philippians 4:8). As believers who have received Jesus, we are a part of a different world now. We play by different rules. We are governed by different laws. We have found a better place and are destined for better things in our life.

Because this present world is so unlike how God created it, it makes sense that those who belong to it are happiest when they are forgetting “real life.” The world that they are from is full of evil, so it makes sense to them to try to drown it all out with social media, with alcohol, or any other form of forgetfulness. This is also why some people think about ending their life, because they don’t know that God has something better reserved for them —  something special, paid for by Jesus, to fix everything and make it all better! And so, not knowing these things, all they can do is try to drown it all out.

On the other hand, drowning out reality just doesn’t make any sense for a believer. We are happiest when our eyes are opened to the reality of our world, because our world is not this present one. God has lovingly put all the things of heaven inside of us, to manifest through us, so that we can experience heaven on earth. This is not a fantasy. This is a real thing for you to experience (Matthew 6:10, Deuteronomy 11:21). Our world is perfect and so are we, in Christ. There’s nothing to fear and nothing to worry about. The very thought of what Jesus has done for us casts out all these emotions (John 4:9-18).

For the people of this present world, drowning out their reality is the closest thing they have to happiness (although it doesn’t have to be that way), but for a believer, our happiness comes from remembering our reality! In Christ, our reality is so good, God only has to open our eyes to cheer us up.

Romans 15:13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [by opening your eyes]…

(Also see 1 John 1:3-4)

Believers aren’t happiest when they’re drowning things out. Believers are happiest when they’re remembering who they are! Therefore, God so fervently advises us to walk with a “sober mind.” That just means thinking clearly. We don’t have to drunken our minds with worldly things to be happy. God wants us to be awake and sober minded so that we can see how excellent He has created us and how excellent the things are that we have through Him. 

1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NKJV) Therefore let us not sleep [mentally], as others do, but let us watch [be awake] and be sober.

You know, it’s not that there’s anything wrong with TV, vacations, or even sleep, but something is wrong if we are trying to use these things to forget life. As a believer, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break from a busy schedule. In fact, I advise you to take breaks from all the busyness. Jesus advised His disciples the same way (Mark 6:31). But as believers, we don’t take breaks for vacation, sleep, etc. to escape a reality. Why in the new world would we want to do that? We take breaks to collect our thoughts. We take breaks to remember ourselves. We don’t take breaks to forget who we are.

Who we are is a happy thing! What we have is a happy thing! Our circumstances are a happy thing! Praise God for sending Jesus to make this happen for us! You may not think so right now, but the only reason why you wouldn’t think so, is because you’re looking at things that are outwardly and not at the truth of what you have within you, and what can manifest in your life. 

If you truly understood how much you mean to the Lord, and how wealthy He’s made you, you’d never want to forget your reality! 

Psalms 144:15 (NKJV) Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!

You’ve got a life, a world, a reality, that’s waiting to be recognized by you — a reality so good that no one in their right mind would ever want to drown it out. So be sober minded. Be awake to the things Jesus has done. This world may be happiest while they are forgetting their reality, but we are happiest when we do a reality check!

If this blessed you, share this with someone else!