Have you seen the advertisements for vacations in very remote places? Desert islands, rain forests, high places, cold places, you name it places. Some ecotourism might be good, bringing money and awareness to some very challenging places. I wonder if the “eco” part takes into account the transportation effect of vehicles and jet plane fuels. But I digress. Some people want to get away from their lives, the busyness and drivenness, and become someone they aren’t for a short period of time.
The newest trend in vacations is staycations, the taking of time right at home. It might involve day trips, or just making the most of your natural habitat. Staycations are pretty economical, especially when compared with ecotourism. They are a way to get away from the busyness of life without the expense and travel around the globe. But it can be hard to keep life from invading your staycation. The phone will still ring. Facebook will be demanding you post.
Jesus has traveled to an out of the way place, Tyre. It is a town located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is not exactly in Jesus’ normal neighborhood. It was a wealthy Roman town, gaining wealth from the purple die extracted from the mollusk shells found in abundance there. The land just East was very rich farmland. Jesus goes here to try and stay anonymous. He is unsuccessful.
We have noticed repeated attempts by Jesus to get away from the crowds. He wants time to regroup with His disciples, but even this out of the way place has ears. People find out He is there, and some travel. At least one woman, perhaps a geographic transplant, hears where Jesus is and comes.
Vacations are about taking time away. Jesus didn’t have to worry about smartphones or instagram. And yet His location could not stay secret. He wanted alone time, but it just wasn’t happening.
If you really want to get away, here are a couple of suggestions. Turn off all electronic devices (or check them only once a day and limit the time spent to say 20 minutes). Make a break in your routine. The cleaning, laundry, lawn chores, and car maintenance, can all be on hold for a few days. Purpose to do other things, non-routine things. Take time to read a good book or two. Learn to drink tea with a friend with whom you have wanted to spend more time.
People will find out where you are, eventually. But enjoy the time away as much as you can. The pressing needs of one woman interrupted Jesus vacation. If you are lucky, the needs of others will be held off for a short time, time enough for you to get recharged.
The Arnold Journey 