Luke 21:34 Keep Watch

So be careful. Guard your hearts. They can be made heavy with moral laxity, with drunkenness, with hassles of daily life. Then the day I've been telling you about might catch you unaware and trap you.

Observation
Christ is talking about the end of the world; the day of His second coming. He is pointing out that there are traps set to ensnare us and cause us not to be ready for His second coming. The first trap referenced is moving the line morally; doing things we know to be wrong, but justifying our behavior because "everyone else does it". The second is drunkenness. I equate this to anything we are running to and drowning ourself in that isn't Christ. The last one mentioned is getting caught up with the hassles of daily life. We get so use to our surroundings and can easily become numb to all that is happening. We get worked up over being stuck in traffic or having to wait too long for our food, our eyes are on the world and what is going on around us and not on Christ. We have lost our heavenly perspective when we look at the our day and life.

Application
I continue to gain a greater understanding of what it means to guard my heart. I have to be mindful of what I watch on television, the conversations I have, the music I listen too, and the books I read. Not that any are bad, but if they are not great and I'm allowing a whole lot of "not great" stuff in my heart, that will be the what pours out of me. I need as much help as I can get everyday to help me look at Christ and not the world. I noticed lately that I've had the wrong focus because I was listening to the complainers instead of focusing on and trusting in Christ. Anger and frustration welled up inside me and I knew I was out of step with God's grace. The closer my walk gets with Christ, the more I have to guard my heart.
On the flip side, it is easier for me to tell now what is great and of God and what is not. Romans 12:2 says "do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you can test what God's will is; His good, pleasing, and perfect will". It is getting more natural for me to discern what pleases God. That is a sweet blessing.

Prayer
Father, I praise You for Your word that renews and transforms me. Your word helps me to know Your heart in all matters. Please help me to guard my heart against moral laxity, drunkenness, and the hassles of daily life. Turn my eyes to You, my King.