Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children – Genesis 32:11
“Hey, I didn’t expect to run into you,” Natalie said, greeting her friend with a hug. “So, I had to hear it from an automated voice that you’re unreachable?” Maxine declared. “Girl, I had to do something about the constant calls from bill collectors. You don’t know how annoying it became. I really did plan on contacting you today to give you the new number,” Natalie said. “That’s okay. But I’ve got bad news. Since you chose not to, as they say, ‘face the music,’ I was unable to invite you to hear the music this Saturday, as I won two tickets to see Usher. So, I’m going with my sister instead,” Maxine announced
I can remember a time when, like Natalie, I would intentionally dodge creditors. However, running from obligations, even unresolved relational issues, doesn’t make the element disappear. This was perfectly demonstrated in Jacob’s flight from Esau, whose birthright he had tricked their father, Isaac, into giving him (Genesis 27:41-43). Instead of happiness, it brought Jacob anguish, which is described in Isaiah 48:22 – “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.” It was only after Jacob had chosen to return home and address the issue with God’s help that he was able to begin to restore peace in his life.
While avoidance may seem like the right thing when dealing with an unpleasant task, it doesn’t offer a solution, only a superficial fix. Facing the music is the only way to regain good standing and put worries about what’s around the corner behind you.