But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. Luke 21:34

This warning from Jesus seems extremely relevant to the way we think, and should think, in this season of storms, chaos, and crises. Just on the surface, we can relate to hearts weighed down with the increasingly worrisome and complicated cares of this life. Those who give thought to such things now recognize even more the brevity and fragility of life. And many have a growing sense that the end of days is closing in upon us.

So, let’s take a deeper look into this verse, that we might find encouragement, motivation, and strength of character to think about the way we are thinking in this tumultuous time.

Take Heed to Yourselves

…that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7.

From God’s perspective, there is never a more important time for unity in the Body of Christ than any other time. The wife of Christ will not be dismembered on her wedding day. Jesus has been praying for our unity for over 2000 years (John 17:20-23).

However, from our perspective, there may never be a more important time for unity in the Body of Christ than this season of storms, chaos, and crises. Take heed to yourselves, for the one who stands alone – no matter how strong and healthy he or she may be – is always the target of the predator. If you do not have fellowship with a community of believers, you better find one. Do not be deceived into thinking you are better off by yourself.

Moreover, when the predators come, the herd draws together, with the weak on the inside. If you are in a faith community, go deeper in faith and relationship with them. Identify the strong and weak, prepare to defend your fellowship with encouragement, truth, and your life.

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10.

Lest Your Hearts be Weighed Down

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10

Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

The Christian heart is God’s instrument of belief and desire. He uses the desires of our heart as identification and motivate toward the good work He has created for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). He speaks to our hearts with the gift of faith (Romans 10:17), that we might use that faith to lay hold of the grace needed in the good work.

Stop here for a moment to hear, understand, and appreciate the importance of your heart. Know it is not corrupt; you have been given a new heart in Christ’s redemption (Ezekiel 36:26). Reckon this to be true; help another brother or sister do the same.

A heart weighed down struggles to identify the desire and faith God has placed there. The heart weighed down struggles to run with endurance the race God has laid out before it (Hebrews 12:1). It is for this reason that we have been commanded:

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Therefore encourage each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1Thessalonians 5:11

The Cares of this Life

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:22

The cares of this life are the distractions, anxieties, and worries we entertain over temporal matters. They are cares of this life if they divide our mind from being set on things above.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

Some cares are necessary for living in the world, others draw us into being “of the world (John 17:16).” Discernment is critical, for one care will lead to another – even a good care to a bad one. For example, care for my child may lead to obsessive hovering, over-protection, and co-dependence.

This is central to the matter of trusting the Lord. Another obvious example involves the security of our family. Leaving an inheritance to our children’s children is a good thing, unless it turns me into a sinner through conformity with the world and the worship of mammon.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24

Why do we resist examination in this area? Are we afraid it will require more than we are willing to bear? Are we afraid we will discover our worship of mammon? What are you concerned about right now? How is your concern distracting you from the worship of God?

These are difficult questions – questions we might prefer to put off for another day. Thinking about such things threatens us with anxiety and guilt. But we best start thinking, and in some ways differently, before our time is done.

And that Day Come on You Unexpectedly

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Mark 13:32-33

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition. 2Thessalonians 2:3

Let’s be clear: Deception is a matter of the mind and Satan is not the only one who endeavors to deceive us. We have been molded to the thoughts and ways of the world for most of our lives, and our carnal mind desires nothing more than to deceive us about our sin (James 1:22).

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:2-3

This series of articles on christianly thinking, which will one day become a book (the good Lord willing) finds its origin and center on the first of these two verses. God has allowed the storms, chaos, and crises of this decade to force a decision on all those who claim to be followers of His Son. His tolerance for those loitering around at the fork of Romans 12:2 – or if you prefer, the gate of Luke 13:23-25 – is coming to an end. It is time – and that time is short – to take the path of transformation by the renewing of our minds.

One does not have to know the day and the hour to discern the season of the Lord’s return. It seems the falling away has already begun, and restraints on the lawless one have been removed. You do not have to agree specifically with this outlook to realize all our days are numbered.

So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Return, O Lord!
How long?
And have compassion on Your servants. Psalm 90:12

God bless you with the faith and courage to face and consider the way you think about the cares of this life.

Have a strong day in the Lord,

Rob

#iamjustthepen