Luke 21:34 Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap

   

Most Christians would shy away from these words in this verse. “Oh my goodness, I wouldn't be like that!” but let's check it out. Dissipation simply means excessive indulgence in pleasures. Now pleasure isn't bad in itself but if we find we are having to prop up our lives all the time “because we work in such high pressure jobs”, perhaps we may not be so far away from what Jesus was saying. Drunkenness is simply over indulgence of alcohol. Most people who have over indulged deny it. “I'm OK, I can cope!” “Coping” means it's an effort after we have been drinking and it's an excuse. Be honest. Anxieties? Come on, I hear you say, surely everyone is plagued with anxieties in today's busy and complex world? I don't think so! That's an excuse. See what he warns against: your hearts being weighed down. When you are weighed down you are not able to live your life as you've been designed by God to live it.

 

But there is an even greater warning: that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. Jesus was talking about his return (or indeed when you come face to face with him after death). Are you happy, looking at the state of your life today, to think about facing Jesus like that? Are you entirely comfortable that you are where you should be in your spiritual life – ready to face him when you will?