Are we ‘BOGGED’ down by the ‘CARES’ of this LIFE?
October
28 Bible Reading: Luke Chapters 19-21
Are we ‘BOGGED’ down by the ‘CARES’ of this LIFE?
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your
hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it
will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all
these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
(Luke 21:34-36)
In the above
passage, our Lord Jesus warns us primarily about two threats that will cause us to become preoccupied with ourselves
in such a way that we will not be
alert and ready for His return:
- The first threat is when we become drunk with wine (or, any other forms of intoxication such as drugs, work, worldly pleasures, etc.) so that we find a way of escape from reality by becoming intoxicated in it and thus become physically lethargic. However, the Bible clearly states that drunkenness is a sin against God (Rom. 13:13; Eph. 5:18).
- The second threat is more subtle, and is widely prevalent among both believers and non-believers. It is in becoming weighed down with the “cares of this life” (v. 34). We are so wrapped up in the pressures and pace of this life that we become spiritually lethargic and thereby totally ignore matters of God’s kingdom in our daily living.
By making
the above statement, Jesus warns us against both physical and spiritual
lethargy, and wants us to be alert and ready for His return always. We
should understand that Jesus condemned
worry, but not work (6:25, 27–28, 31 and 34). He has never told us to stop working. God provides for us so in many ways,
and the most common is through our everyday work. He expects us to work
diligently with whatever resources He has given us (2 Thess. 3:6–12).
Even while
we are working daily for our living, Jesus
wants us to refocus our faith in God, the ultimate supplier of all our
needs (6:32). However, often times we are tempted to worry so much and forget all
about trusting God. During these moments, we also forget that God has never promised that we would not face
hard times but that He has many ways to help us through them when we do. In
fact, Jesus has told us to remain joyful during hard times since He has
overcome the world: "In the world
you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world" (John 16:33)
Let us
understand that no one is beyond the
temptation to fall into sin, and Jesus warns against slackness and lack of
daily readiness in the Christian walk. While we need to pay attention to our
physical and material needs, we should stop worrying about these matters so
that they do not dominate our lives
and values. We cannot worry and serve God
at the same time (Matt. 6:24). Instead, we
need to redirect our focus onto God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).
That’s what ‘really’ matters in our lives!
Let us watch and pray always as we separate ourselves from the
ungodly world which is doomed to experience the wrath of God in a short while.
When our hearts and minds are feeling tremendous pressure being burdened by the
‘cares of this life’, remember that prayer is our only outlet source to persevere
for Christ under pressure.
