PEOPLE, GET READY!!!

HE IS COMING SOON!!!

In this verse from the Bible, Luke 21:34, Jesus gives us a very important warning. He says, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." At first glance, this might sound a little heavy or hard to understand, but if we break it down and think about it carefully, what He is saying becomes clear and something we can all apply to our everyday lives.

To begin, let’s think about what Jesus was trying get His disciples to understand when He told them to "take heed." This means to be cautious, to pay close attention, and to be aware of what is happening around us all the time. It’s like when a teacher warns their students to focus on their work, or when a parent tells a child to look both ways before crossing the street. It’s an instruction to be mindful and not let things slip by unnoticed. Jesus was urging His followers to pay attention to their spiritual well-being and to avoid getting distracted by things that could prevent them from staying connected with God.

Now, let’s look at what He warned them about—three things: surfeiting (excessive overindulgence), drunkenness, and the cares of this life. All of these represent distractions. Surfeiting refers to overindulgence or excess. It’s about having too much of something, especially food or pleasure. Think about a time when you ate too much at a meal and felt uncomfortable afterward, or when you got caught up in something fun but lost track of time. Overindulgence isn’t just about food; it can be anything that takes up more space in our hearts and minds than it should. It’s easy to get caught up in seeking enjoyment or comfort, but if we’re not careful, it can distract us from the more important things in life.

Drunkenness is another form of distraction that Jesus warned about. When we think of drunkenness, we often think of it in terms of alcohol or cannabis, but it can apply to anything that causes us to lose control or become numb to the world around us. When we’re drunk, we’re not thinking clearly, and we’re not able to make good decisions. The same thing can happen when we let something in our lives take over and dull our awareness. This could be any form of escapism, like getting lost in entertainment, unhealthy habits, or even distractions like social media. When these things take hold of us, we can miss the important things—like our relationship with God, our purpose in life, or the needs of others.

The third thing Jesus mentions is the "cares of this life." This refers to all the things we worry about—the bills we have to pay, the work we need to do, our relationships, our health, and everything else that fills our minds with anxiety and concern. These are the everyday stresses that we all face. They are real and they can be overwhelming. I get that. But Jesus is warning us that if we allow these concerns to dominate our hearts, we might lose sight of the bigger picture. We might become so focused on the small details of life that we forget to look up and pay attention to the things that matter most, like our relationship with God and His purpose for us.

The warning here is clear: if we let our hearts get "overcharged" with these distractions, we could miss something important. Jesus talks about "the day" that will come upon us unawares. This is a reference to the day when He will return to the earth or when the end of the world will come. Jesus is teaching us that the distractions of life can keep us from being prepared for that day. If we’re so caught up in our own pleasures, our own struggles, or our own worries, we might find ourselves unready when the time comes to face God.

So, what does this mean for us today? Well, we don’t live in the exact same circumstances that people did when Jesus was speaking, but the message still applies. Every day, we are faced with countless distractions that pull us in different directions. Some of these distractions are good things—enjoying time with family, working hard at our jobs, or even relaxing and having fun. But others can take us off track. We can become so caught up in the things that give us temporary pleasure or escape that we forget about the lasting things—the things that matter for eternity.

One way to think about this is to consider how we spend our time. If we spend all our time watching TV, playing video games, or scrolling through social media, we might be neglecting the more important things—like spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, helping others, or simply reflecting on our purpose in life. These things don’t mean we can’t enjoy life, but they remind us that we must always keep our focus in the right place.

Another thing to consider is how much of our hearts and minds are consumed by worry. Life has its challenges, and it’s natural to feel anxious about things like our jobs, relationships, and health. But when we let those worries overwhelm us, they can take over our hearts. Jesus is telling us not to let the cares of this life become so heavy that we lose sight of our faith. Instead, He encourages us to cast our anxieties on Him and trust that He will provide for us, just as He takes care of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.

Jesus is also reminding us that we need to be spiritually alert. We can’t let ourselves fall asleep at the wheel, so to speak. It’s easy to get distracted by the hustle and bustle of life, but we need to keep our focus on what truly matters. This doesn’t mean we should ignore the things we need to do in our daily lives, but it means we should keep our priorities straight. We should be intentional about staying close to God, about seeking His guidance, and about living with purpose.

Being spiritually alert also means being ready for when Jesus returns. We don’t know when that will happen, but we do know that it will come. In the meantime, we are called to live faithfully, to serve others, and to live in a way that honors God. We can’t afford to let distractions pull us away from this mission.

Ultimately, Jesus’ warning is about staying focused. It’s about being aware of the things in life that might distract us and cause us to lose sight of what is truly important. Life will always have its share of distractions, pleasures, and worries, but we are called to keep our hearts and minds fixed on God. We should live in a way that reflects His love, His grace, and His truth. We should strive to be ready for His return, not because we are perfect, but because we are faithful, alert, and focused on what He has called us to do.

So, the next time you find yourself caught up in the things of this world—whether it’s pleasure, work, or worry—remember Jesus’ words. Take heed to yourself, stay alert, and keep your heart focused on what matters most. That way, when the day comes, you won’t be caught unawares, but will be ready to stand before God, having lived a life of faith and purpose.

Dear Lord, please help me to keep my mind stayed on you. Help me to continually be focused on what I need to focus on, and know that YOU are my provider for all that I need.  For this, I thank you, in Jesus Blessed Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

 
I hope this message blessed you. If so, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Anna M. C. Hazen  2025

The image is AI generated on chatgpt.