Tuesday, December 6, 2022

             Boasting is not something that most people enjoy hearing.  Bragging and braggarts can become trying and tiresome before long.  The Bible warns against boasting many times.  In James’ letter, we find a warning about a particular kind of boasting.  James’ concern was boasting about tomorrow or future events.  He cautions us to be humble about the future and to seek the Lord before we get too far down the road in planning for what we might do tomorrow.  We read, “Now listen, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15).  There are some lessons for us to consider in these practical verses.
            First, we are called to be humble about the future.  We cannot see the future.  And we want to be cautious about making bold and brash statements or plans for the future.  When we are busy making plans, we can easily push God to the margins.  Each day that God gives us is a gift.  Why not seek His guidance for how we use the days we are given?  As followers of Christ, our days are to be about serving Him and leaning on Him.  Let God be part of your plans and dreams for the future.  Why would we even want to consider a future where God is not part of it?
            Second, we have to recognize our humanity.  Life is compared to a mist or a vapor that vanishes quickly.  A life that spans one hundred years is brief when compared to the scope of eternity.  Even the longest living human leaves just a trace behind when compared to the endless eternity that awaits.  We can get so caught up in the future that we miss where God is at work in the present and what God is doing in our lives here and now.  We want to be careful not to trade the joys of today for an uncertain and not even promised tomorrow.  One way we can remember the brevity of life is to compare a day to the vastness of the universe.  We may think a day or a week is long and just grinds along.  But remember, space is measured in light-years or the time it takes from light to travel from one point to another.
            Third, we recognize how fragile life is.  Tomorrow certainly is not promised to anyone.  We could find ourselves in the presence of the Lord at any moment.  May we invest fully in the opportunities the Lord gives us today—in family life, on the job, in our relationships with others and in our service to the Lord.  We want to be careful not to leave behind unfinished business in our walk with the Lord.
            Fourth, approach tomorrow with faith.  Trust that God will lead you as you lean on Him.  Let Him open doors rather than pushing through in human power and with human motivations.  Much of life can be about waiting—waiting on the Lord and letting Him work on you in the meantime.  We often enjoy holidays like Christmas and Easter and special days like baptisms, anniversaries, birthdays and Sundays.  But much of life is lived in the meantime between special days and special celebrations.  Commit each day to the Lord shortly after waking up and ask Him for the grace, patience and strength to live out whatever He has chosen for you.
            As we think of the future, we can always draw strength from Romans 8:28 and remember that God is working all things together for the good for those who love Him and who have been called according to His purposes.  We do not or cannot always see the work that God is doing but we surely trust Him.  There is an old cliché that says while we may not always see God’s hand, we can always trust His heart.  And indeed, we can.  We know that His heart is good.  Have a great Tuesday and remember you can worship any time at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.