Caught off guard
I had a pretty rough night last night. My hacking cough not only disturbed my sleep but Debbie’s as well. I had a consult with my doctor and I have a tentative appointment for tomorrow if I am not feeling better. I have felt better for most of the day, although my energy level is pretty diminished. It is probably pretty remarkable that I have not come down with a “normal” sickness in this last year.
One of the things Debbie mentioned this last week was that we should have kept a daily log of some of my gains in recovery. Some of them on the surface my seem small and insignificant but considering where I have been they are great strides. For example just being able to use the shower in our master bath has been a major step forward. One of the challenges that I am faced with is that with just the ability to move my arms, I still face the challenge of building muscle mass and strength. But praise the Lord it is all coming and for that we are glad and appreciative of the prayers of so many.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “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
“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building…” Luke 17:26-28
I have always found it interesting that awareness of “end of world” events are not uncommon. It would be interesting to get some “on the street” responses to the word, Armageddon. You would probably find more people familiar with the name being related to the end of the world, than their ability to name at least one member of US Senate.
For a long time I thought the coming of the Lord would catch people off guard because of their lack of knowledge. But in reading Jesus words it seems that it is because they are just too self-absorbed. They are so much caught up in survival mode and “doing life” that they are not paying attention to the signs of the Lord’s return.
While we see Jesus command to “watch” as far as looking for His return, we also see Jesus give the command to “watch yourself.” Our lives are not to be so consumed with the activities of this life and our plans for the future that we are oblivious to the fact that Christ will one day return, and we are living on borrowed time.
Earlier in Luke we see Jesus talking about His return and he compares the “days of Noah” and the “days of Lot.” Although separated by hundreds of years the lifestyle and focus was the same. Eating, drinking, buy, selling, marrying….. and Jesus says the same thing will occur just before He returns.
As I consider these verses I am reminded of the Parable of the Sower. The seed that fell among thorns was “choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” (Luke 8:14)
Don’t allow the care of this life to choke the spiritual life out of you. As we journey through this world, we are to take care of the business of life without it consuming our life. We are to remind ourselves that even if Christ’s return is another hundred or more years away, that we are all living on borrowed time. We need the perspective of life that only Christ can provide. As we keep life in balance we are ready for eternity in Christ’s presence whether through the end of life or the Lord’s return.