Saturday, May 30
Making Plans
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
James 4:13-15
My grandfather would often intersperse his conversation with words such as “if it be the Lord’s will” or “Lord willing.” I believe he had this perspective because he was a man of faith. But I also believe his outlook was influenced by his life experience. He lived through the Great Depression and 2 World Wars. One of his daughters died of scarlet fever at age 6. One of his sons was killed in action over the skies of Germany in World War 2. My grandfather knew about the uncertainty of “today or tomorrow.”
The worldwide pandemic is a backdrop for believers like you and me to learn more about day to day trust in God. Yes, we may plan the future, but only God knows what will transpire.
“We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
There is great peace for followers of Jesus when they embrace this perspective of trust in God. There is a deep hope which is discovered when believers rely on God’s will and not their own. The profound truth which James was inspired to write has application for all of us.
What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.
As an exercise in your relationship with God, explore how you might incorporate this conditional clause, or variations thereof, into your daily thoughts and conversations.
If the Lord wants…
Lord willing…
As the Lord allows…
Prayer: Lord, teach me to trust you more each day. Let me base my hope not on my plans being fulfilled, but on your will being done in my life. Amen.
