Worries of life & means of self-reflection

"Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
- Luke 21:34-36

Interesting how the "worries of life" is ranked among dissipation and drunkenness as things one should be wary of in the last days. As an evangelical, I often imagine the end times as being full of dissipation and drunkenness by those who do not fear God. Yet I would have never guessed worries of life that I hold often, are just as detrimental. Jesus says this in another part of the gospel about worrying:

"The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity."
- Luke 8:14

So, worries of life

1. Weigh our hearts down
2. Allow the Day of the Lord's Coming to come upon us like a trap
3. Prevent us from bringing fruit to maturity
4. Are reckoned equally with riches and pleasures, as things that "choke" us

I often am tempted to look at the parable of the sower and classify myself as a certain kind of soil by observing the "general progression" of my life. It seems attractive to think that I am not as worrisome as I was a year ago, and thus have "persevered" and borne fruit in other ways, or, I can always find someone else who is a little behind, because they worry as well as are enticed with riches and pleasures. But how deceptive and deadly such an evaluation is when I consider the consequences of worrying! There is a need for constant reflection and a need to come to the Word with a fresh perspective on myself every time.

In the meanwhile, it is good to remember our Lord's gentle charge to not be anxious. Interesting how this particular charge follows up with yet another charge to be ready for His Coming.

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
--Luke 12:22-32

May the Lord bless you to seek His kingdom today and give you peace in doing so.