Don’t Be Caught Unawares: Living Ready for Christ in a Distracted World

Frank Wible
Sep 8
3 min read

Eli had drifted into a routine that looked fine from the outside. He worked long hours, enjoyed weekends with friends, and filled his calendar with distractions. But his Bible sat untouched on the shelf, and his prayers were few. Deep down, he knew his faith was lukewarm.

Man in a gray shirt and black tie walks on wet street at night. Neon red and blue lights from a bar illuminate the scene, creating a moody effect. — The world offers noise and distraction, but it cannot satisfy the soul.

One Friday night, he joined friends at a bar. Laughter, music, and noise filled the air, but afterward he drove home with a hollow ache inside. Something whispered in his heart: Is this how you want to be found if Jesus returned tonight?

The next Sunday, he heard his pastor read Luke 21:34-35: “Watch out! Don’t let my sudden coming catch you unawares; don’t let me find you living in careless ease, carousing and drinking, and occupied with the problems of this life, like all the rest of the world.” The words cut through his complacency.

Eli sat frozen in his seat. He thought about his habits, the hours wasted in front of a screen, the nights numbing his stress with alcohol, the way he let his faith take a backseat to everything else. He realized he was living exactly as Jesus had warned against.

That night, Eli fell to his knees in his bedroom. “Lord,” he prayed, “I’ve been distracted, careless, and far from You. Forgive me. I don’t want to be caught unawares. Help me live ready.” Tears streamed down his face as he confessed what he had avoided for years.

The following weeks were different. Instead of joining friends at the bar, he started attending his church’s men’s Bible study. At first, it felt awkward, but soon he found strength in the brotherhood.

Brotherhood helps men stay awake and alert when the world tempts them to drift.

He replaced late nights with prayer and Scripture, slowly building habits that renewed his soul. It was not an instant transformation, but a steady turning back toward Christ.

One night, while reading Luke 21 again, Eli realized how subtle distractions had stolen his time. They were not always sinful in themselves, but they had dulled his passion for God. He understood now that being ready meant guarding his heart daily, not drifting with the world.

At his men’s group, Eli shared his story. Other men admitted they too were distracted—by work, entertainment, or stress. Together, they committed to living awake and alert, ready for Christ’s return.

Eli reminded them, “Jesus said, Watch out. That means our default is to drift unless we intentionally guard our hearts. We cannot afford to live careless.”

As months passed, Eli’s life looked different. He still worked hard and enjoyed time with friends, but now his priorities were clear. Faith came first. His joy came from walking closely with God, not numbing himself with the world.

He no longer feared Christ’s return. Instead, he longed for it. The thought of standing before his Savior no longer brought dread, but hope.

Eli often told younger men, “Don’t wait until it’s too late to wake up. Live ready now. Don’t be caught unawares.”

His scars of distraction became part of his testimony. They reminded him of how easy it was to drift, but also how powerful God’s mercy is to call us back.

For every man weighed down by distractions or worldly ease, Eli’s story echoes the warning of Luke 21:34-35: Watch out. Live ready. Don’t be caught unawares.

What most distracts you from living ready for Christ?