Yesterday, I found a reason to download the Miriam Webster Dictionary application right in the middle of the morning worship service. I am so glad the church has a wi-fi network. The following verse in the book of Luke was mentioned:
34 “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; Luke 21:34 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
And there I was completely confused as to what dissipation means. I thought dissipation was the process of dissipating or a dispersion. So in this case it seems sort of funny. So off to Mr Webster I went.
Definition of DISSIPATION
1
: the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated: a : dispersion, diffusion b archaic : dissolution, disintegration c : wasteful expenditure d : intemperate living; especially : excessive drinking
2
: an act of self-indulgence; especially : one that is not harmful : amusement
To make matters even more confusing, the American Standard uses the word surfeiting. Another common everday word! NOT – so again back to Mr Webster!
Definition of SURFEIT
transitive verb
: to feed, supply, or give to surfeit
intransitive verb
archaic : to indulge to satiety in a gratification (as indulgence of the appetite or senses)
So, there ya have it. Thanks to wi fi and apps, I was able to quickly understand this exhortation from the Christ himself. And I think it’s a pretty good bit of encouragement to start off a week with. Let’s not be disintegrated by our way of lives, but even more so let us stay solid.
Of course in this case it appears I could have also just jumped over to the Message!
34-36″But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34 The Message (MSG)