Every day, people, me included, can get caught up in the cares of this world if we are not careful.

While traveling through a local area of town, I noticed all the various businesses and shops serving a specific community. I could not discern if they were thriving; however, I did not need their services. I am blessed and grateful, knowing my life could have been different.

My mind immediately thought that some of these businesses only exist to play on the hearts of others as it relates to the cares of this world.
You and I know that when you live a life that involves the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things, we become unfruitful.

If you and I are not focused on the right things in life, we can get caught up in various distractions instead of focusing our attention on God.
In my travels, I often see disenfranchised people walking the streets as I thank God for what he continues to provide for me.
As I step back momentarily, I invite you to do the same. I often ask for more patience so that I won’t get caught up in bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, or malice.

We all can be robbed of our joy if we allow the cares of this world to get to us. In short, we are all human, and we must figure out how to remove those things from our lives.

Yesterday, I was on a plane traveling on an Express Flight, and the airline made multiple calls advising all the passengers that the overhead compartment was small. They told those with roller bags to get a green ticket, remove the needed items, and check the bag at the door before entering or boarding the Aircraft.

One person always doesn’t believe they will hold everyone to the same standard and brings a roller bag on board with three computers.

His response to the flight attendant was “I’ve always made it fit.” When asked to check his bag plane side.

He was very discourteous and threatened to file a complaint after the flight attendant said we can find you another flight if you don’t want to comply.
Sometimes, we must say, “I will be satisfied!” I am satisfied knowing I have the grace to run my race, and God’s grace is enough.

I believe that with age comes wisdom; however, the man was older than the flight attendant. He was caught up in the cares of this world. Yes, you and I were once young, and speaking for myself, I have made my share of mistakes.

I do believe the older generation can teach our youth not to be caught up in the world and lead by example.

Yesterday, I was in a different environment and could walk the streets around Disney Park in Anaheim, California. I witnessed the various costumes and the parents giving their children a different experience from home.

It almost feels like Halloween in the August heat.

I believe that each of us has keys or principles within us that will help deter us from being caught up in the world.

We must obey specific laws or orders regarding the words we keep on our lips.
I’m not naïve not to know that many have taken shortcuts or temptations and visually see how they are caught up in the world.

A prime example is gambling, where we have those who believe they can beat the system.

Today, I pass no judgment on any of you, as these are my thoughts. As the flight attendant asked people what they wanted to drink on the flight, many could not break the habit of having a drink.

The consequences you and I must deal with are that every time we get caught up in the world, we must think about those selfish desires and what they do for us.

I often tell myself I must let my humanity get out of the way to live in my divinity.

The last thing I will tell you about related to the cares of the world was when I was in the Taxi heading to my hotel. Part of me wanted to rebel because before I stepped one foot out of the terminal and picked up my bags, I stopped at the information desk and asked what the best mode of transportation was to reach my hotel.

The response I was given was to take a Taxi because it’s cheaper than an Uber.
As I watched the meter go past $45 and the Taxi Driver stop and wait for traffic to go, I was physically able to watch a specific act. That act was a person who appeared homeless and disheveled and reached into the trash can and finished drinking a used sweet drink with ice.

I watched him sip the drink through the straw and then remove the cap or cover. From the look on his face, it was with satisfaction that he drank what he could not get from the straw, turning the cup to his mouth.

Watching a human being lower his dignity and commit that act was somewhat perplexing and distressing.

On the other hand, I stopped worrying about the cost of the cab/taxi when I saw him drink someone else’s discarded drink from the trash can.

His lust for the cold drink told me we don’t always apply the proper amount of empathy towards other people, which could choke out the word and become useless and unprofitable.

The things we hear and do daily with the stresses of our busy life can be no different from the homelessness I mentioned.

I may not have had to worry about my next meal, where I’m going to sleep or eat, but rather the everyday stresses of life.

You and I have distracting anxieties when dealing with riches and pleasures because we are all human.

Today, I challenge you to think about your faith being tested as you navigate from being caught up in the cares of this world.