Watch out! It's a trap!

Watch out! It's a trap!

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”-Luke21:24-36

Jesus is warning us all to be careful and be watchful lest our hearts be weighed down by carousing, drunkenness and anxieties of life. Many people have been dragged down and reduced into slaves of pleasure - that never truly satisfies. Many people have been destroyed by drunkenness and addiction. Many people have been destroyed by anxieties of life like debts, poverty, etc. Not only that, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur..." [Luke17:1]. What should we do then? "Be always on the watch and pray..." [Luke21:36]. We pray for deliverance, for strength and to be aware of our actions in response to the challenges of life.

The other day, I watched the movie "Frozen." Hans was supposed to be the knight in shining armor, the prince charming, the hero. I thought that he is a character to watch out for. But right in the middle of a very good and heroic selfless venture, one comment is all that it takes to tick him off. When the duke said that, "... Arendelle is in your hands..," Hans became ambitious for himself. Now he plans to be the next king, the savior, the hero that saved them all to such an extent that he almost killed the two sisters. Imagine a little comment destroying a good and heroic man.

Life is a constant struggle, a constant battle. We need not be afraid because Jesus is with us all the time making us careful and watchful. Above all, Jesus is inviting us to pray always.

Image courtesy: various artists