A Life that is being Examine

Luke 21:34-38

When things slow down life will become easier, we will have time to rest, read, go places and do what we’ve dreamed of doing.  I’ve had such foolish thoughts and at 73 years of age I must guard my heart.  If only these words of Jesus had come to me earlier or if I had been open to grasping the fullness of what Jesus is saying in verse 34.  This is the quote: “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.”  (Luke 21:34 ESV)

Jesus is telling each of us to examine our lives, do you recall that Jesus told us it’s not what goes into our mouths that corrupts us but what comes out of our hearts.  Our hearts can become full of overindulgence for stuff, sex, power, attentions, work, pleasure, and many others things.  Our life becomes so full of our choices and pursuits that we find little time for what brings us peace and contentment, and even less time to be quiet and listen to our Teacher the Holy Spirit.

Jesus does not only talk about dissipation, but drunkenness and cares of this life, and will you consider that drunkenness is not the intoxication of adult beverages but the pursuit and desires of the heart to fill the void, the hole in your soul that only God can fill.  

A young lady who I care very much about, her life and future had just finished college and I ask what were her plans now that she was out of college, and her reply was “I’m going to follow my heart” and that can be a very dangerous thing to do.  Proverbs 4:23 tells us the following; “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”  And the great prophet Jeremiah shares this insight with us in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”  Does it not seem clear that our hearts need to be under surveillance?

This day Jesus is referring to maybe for some like Saul who became the apostle Paul when he encountered Jesus, and for some it will be your death to self and receiving the life Jesus has for each of us in John 10:10, and for some it will be His soon coming, and yet for some it will be the white throne judgment.  But the day is sure to come, for Jesus our Creator has stated in verse 35, “For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.”

If you’re not a follower of Christ ask yourself this question, “is my life weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life?  If the answer is yes, stop and pray agreeing with God that you are a sinner and ask Jesus to forgive you and to come into your heart and life, and He will.  But if you are a follower of Christ, take heart to what Jesus is saying in verse 36, “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36 ESV)

Jesus depended on talking to His Father; many of the greatest victories were won in the quiet nights and early morning as Jesus talked with His Father at the mount called Olivet.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice