SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1153

“A Mist”

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet 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. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” – James 4:13-15

James’ rebuke and coaching is a word we should all pay attention to and take to heart whether we are in business or just going about our daily lives. The older I get the more keenly aware I become of how short life on this earth is. I still have my plans for things I want to do and accomplish and it is good to do so – in light of God’s Word.

Jesus taught a parable about making plans that were selfishly motivated and without an eternal perspective and for the glory of God. God calls such a person a fool.

And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” – Luke 12:16-21

Paul was a planner but his plans were always made with the Lord’s will in mind.

But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus. – Acts 18:21

The great recession of 2007 – 2009 destroyed all the plans I had for my life. Yet through it all, the Lord sustained us and provided for us. It was a time of great material loss but also a time of great spiritual growth in our relationship with Jesus.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. – Proverbs 27:1

A decade plus later, we have been rebuilding our lives and now making plans for retirement – and then the Covid pandemic hits and our plans are derailed. But God’s faithfulness is true and He continues to sustain, protect and provide for us during this time.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

It is good to make plans. It is wise to make plans with God’s will in mind understanding and believing that His plans are perfect and for our best.

We truly are a mist. Live each day continually seeking His presence. Make your plans for His glory and praise and to fulfill your kingdom purpose rather than for self-centered reasons. Keep an eye on the horizon of eternity with Him as you navigate the tempestuous waters of this life always trusting in Him and in His perfect love and plan for you.

My times are in your hand; Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. –Psalm 31:15; Matthew 6:10