"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36)

Recently, a huge tree in Colorado fell to the ground with a resounding crash after having stood majestically on a hill for more than 400 years. It was a mere sapling when Columbus landed in San Salvador. Over the centuries it had been struck by lightning 14 times, braved great windstorms, and even defied an earthquake. In the end, however, it was killed by some little beetles. Boring under the bark, they chewed away its fibers until one day that lordly king of the forest came thundering down.

Similarly, little, insignificant things often make substantial inroads into our spiritual lives, and if left unchecked can cause our downfall. Idle words spoken, prayer time omitted, too much indulgence in recreation, sports, watching TV, etc., can weaken us and cause our downfall. Let us take heed lest we fall.