Weighed Down

“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. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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 21:34-36 ESV)

Ever feel like that donkey?  Ever feel weighed down?  Ever feel like life is getting the best of you?  Ever feel like you’re the beach and life is the ocean, relentlessly pounding you over and over and over?  Sure you have.  We all have.  We all have bills to pay, people to care about, health to worry about, jobs to do, bills to pay, health issues, bills to pay…you get the picture.  Life has many, many things that fill our minds and our days with cares, and many of those are legitimate.  They very much can weigh us down.

Ever noticed that it seems to be getting worse?  Ever notice that we seem to be getting busier, no matter how many gadgets promise to make life simpler  (See Microsoft’s lame pitch for their new smartphone)?  I have an iPhone and a laptop, and both of them, while insanely convenient and easy to use, only end up allowing us to work more and to fill our days with more things.  Yes, they help me and I’m thankful for them, but have they made life simpler?  NO!

The words spoken by Jesus above were uttered just days before His death and resurrection, on the occasion of His disciples asking about the “end of all things.”  After laying out many of the signs that would precede His coming in glory, Jesus ends with a warning that should wake all of us in this age of convenience up.  Don’t let worries, cares, parties and the like cloud your vision.  Keep your eyes clear.  Watch.  Pray.  Then go back and read the things that Jesus told the disciples must come to pass before He comes.  Then watch and pray some more.

Ever had a weight on your shoulders?  Ever tried to get around with that on?  My two year old loves to ride on my shoulders, and it’s a joy for me to do it.  But after a while, my neck and back begin to ache, and it gets harder and harder for me to lift my head.  When the cares of this life (good and bad though they may be) start to weigh us down, we can’t keep our heads up to keep watch.  Our hearts need to be set on Jesus, and on doing His work until He comes.  That’s a load that He promises is easy and light.