Lord Willing
(written June 24th by Bryan Roe)
“...you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” -James 4:14
Perhaps you have heard the Woody Allen quote, “If you want to make God laugh tell him about your plans.” Everyone, even atheists like Woody Allen, can relate to the human experience of making plans and not seeing them come to fruition. When this happens, we can be left with disappointment. Perhaps you have made plans to spend time with a close friend that ended up canceling on you, or you wrongfully assumed that the team, job or college you auditioned or applied for would accept you. Or maybe it was an unexpected family move or a loss of a relationship, both ending grand plans you had made.
Now, while our plans so often don't come to fruition, a temptation we have as sinful people is still to boast in the plans we make. Perhaps we’ve all engaged in trash-talk during a friendly competition, making claims about the future of the game: “I’m going to dominate you!” “Oh yeah? Watch this!” While sometimes this can come out of pure silliness, it can quickly cross over into sinfulness. We can be prideful about our abilities and intelligence, and then wrongfully assume that we are in control the future. In our passage today, James calls this “arrogance” (v. 16). It is sin (v. 17).
Read: James 4:13-17.
Two foundational truths we draw from this passage: 1) whatever happens happens because it is God’s plan (v.15), and 2) our lives are but a vapor in the light of eternity (v.14). We need to build our lives with these foundational truths in mind. We must build all of our lives on all of God’s truth.
As we do this, James gives two applications: 1) do not boast about what you will do tomorrow or in the future, and 2) learn to make plans with a realization that they will take place only if the Lord brings them about. In other words, hold onto your plans loosely. Failing to recognize God’s sovereignty (God’s control and involvement) in all things is sin, as is trusting in ourselves to bring things to pass. We do not have the power to carry out any plans of ours on our own. Think about it: who gave you all the abilities and resources you have? Who provides you with air you breathe? Who or what right now is preventing disaster from taking place that would prevent your plans from coming true? Well, God, of course! And the reality is, we do not know what tomorrow brings, let alone the next hour, minute, or second. As James says, referencing the Old Testament, “...you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (v. 14). Life is short my friends, whether you live to be 25 or 105.
This leads us to draw another application from this passage: because our lives are short and our future is uncertain, we need to make the best use of our time for God’s purposes and glory. So, in addition to not boasting in our plans and holding onto our plans loosely, we need to surrender all of our time now for God to use as He wishes. As you spend time in Scripture and in prayer, ask God to bring to your mind how you can best use your time today. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:
1) Are there people around you that you can serve or encourage today?
2) How can you help others today know Jesus through your words and actions?
3) Would you say that your attitude today is in line with the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23? If not, God calls us to put sinful attitudes and behaviors to death and find grace in Jesus and the strength to overcome in His Holy Spirit.
4) And similarly, are you experiencing temptation to sin that you need to flee from, and instead walk in obedience to God's commands?
As you answer these questions, I pray God will reveal to you how you can make the best use of time today. It’s essential that we remember, though, that as Christians we are not saved by how well we use our time. God has already numbered our days (Job 14:5), and we have already made a mess of them - can I get a witness? But in God’s mercy, He has sent Jesus into the world to waste no time. God's plan was for Jesus to live a perfect life in our place, and then die on the cross for the sins of His people. Through faith in Him we we have been forgiven and made new. In Him we have God’s love and favor secured forever. The pressure to earn our salvation is lifted, and now we have the freedom to use our time for His glory and our joy. Let's turn our boasting about the future into boasting in the Lord (2 Cor. 10:17). Rest assured that His plan for you and me is good for us.
So, should we as Christians make plans? Of course! Not doing so would be foolish. When we do make plans, however, we need to do so with the goal of bringing glory to God, knowing also that He is the One who holds the future and might have different plans for us. This means we need to be flexible and adaptable. And as we share our plans with others, may we learn to add the words, “Lord willing.” It is my hope that you will find these two words both humbling and freeing!