Escape is Not His Plan

Escape plans are funny things. I'm not talking escape routes, like in case of a fire, but rather escape plans, or contingencies put in place in case one gets caught. For those working outside the parameters of getting caught - a remote contact communicating with the endangered agent, for example - an escape plan may actually come in handy. After all, if the point-man gets busted, making tracks before the captor's agents come after you (determining where you are broadcasting from could take up precious time) might just save your life.

But what if you are the one who gets caught? Why waste time making escape plans when, it truth, you may not know exactly where you'll be taken prisoner? Sure, the bad guys may hold everyone they catch in a special tower in the north side of the castle, but maybe this time they think you're something special. They've heard of your incredible powers of distraction and sleight-of-hand, they're well aware of your ability to outfight even the most lethal and well-armed thugs of all the other kingdoms. Maybe they mistake you for a sweater and toss you into a laundry room (giggle now, but I speak from experience).

Point being, escape routes are kind of like nuclear weapons or Internet dating sites: if you absolutely have to use one, the battle has already been lost. So the next time you and your buddies go out to raid a fortress or whatever, and one of them pulls you aside and says "Stay here and guard our escape route," just go on home. Either they'll slip in and out without being noticed, or, they'll get captured, and why would you need to be around for any of that?

Just food for thought.

Kev

(BTW, part of this blurb was inspired by what I thought, for a very long time, was an utterly confusing exchange between a couple of characters from an issue of Ninja High School - back when it was still kind of cool.)

WWJI (Who Would Jesus Insure)?

Luke 18:35-43

[35] As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. [36] When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. [37] They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

[38] He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" ...

[40] Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, [41] "What do you want me to do for you?"

"Lord, I want to see," he replied.

[42] Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed y- oh, wait a minute, hold on, were you born blind?"

[43] And, confused, the beggar said, "Well, I ... well, yeah, but ..."

[44] And then Jesus, the son of God, took in a sharp breath through his teeth and said, "Gee, man, I'm sorry, but that's a pre-existing condition. Can't help ya. I mean, if I healed you, I'd have to heal everybody. Tough luck, huh?"

[45] And then, turning away from the blind beggar, who's face was contorted in open-mouth shock, Jesus bought himself a gyro and crammed it into his mouth, for ye verily was he hungry.