Holy Spirit of God, help me be on my guard against dissipation…

 
Luke 21:34-36

 
How often do I hear – and say – “I am so dissipated” , a.k.a., I am so Busy!! Children’s needs, work challenges, medical appointments, driving hither and yon, shopping, not to mention property maintenance and household chores – these are the things that constantly vie for my attention and threaten to consume mind, body and spirit. This is the dissipation Jesus warned his disciples about, the scattering of one’s energies so thinly that we are exhausted more than we are refreshed, fragmented more than focused and human doings more than we are human beings.  In ‘these last days’, our Master calls us to ‘be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down’. He lists dissipation, or thoughtless busy-ness, even before drunkenness, that is any active addiction or passion, and the ‘worries of this life’. This Advent we have opportunity to reset the focus of our time and energy. As we turn our hearts and minds to waiting for the Lord’s Coming let us be on guard to curb our addiction to, and passion for, being busy, so that the cares and worries of this world do not choke the sprouting of his Word in our lives.  Am I truly committed to being alert at all times, praying that I might have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man?(v.36). This Advent and Christmas season, will I be on guard against blind busy-ness?  Holy Spirit of God help me be on my guard against dissipation. 
 
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise. (Psalm 95:2)
 
If the devil can’t make you sin, he makes you busy.
Corrie Ten Boom
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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