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)
Lord willing!
I heard that phrase for years and paid it no mind, as it held no relevance. I have a similar reaction when I hear golf, and tennis announcers proclaim that an up-and-comer would contend for majors for years to come.
Being born again and maturing in my faith, I now understand why people append “Lord willing” to their plans; they realize that not everything is in our control. I also wince when talking heads make bold claims about a player’s future, as it is pure speculation.
As today’s verse reminds us, we don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. I didn’t wake up on February 17, 2020, thinking our family’s future would be forever changed by a phone call from the OR letting me know my wife had cancer. Nor did my daughters fathom that a few weeks later, they would never again roam the halls of their high school as students due to Covid-19.
Because we don’t know the future, we should focus on the here and now. We are presented with God-ordained moments every day, but if you’re like me or those making plans in today’s verse, you miss several because your thoughts are elsewhere.
Take this recent example from my life. As I stood in the checkout line at Walmart, distracted by my day’s to-do list, I watched the guy in front of me return some cold cuts after his first attempt to pay was rejected. With his bill now a mere $16, his second swipe was approved, and he was on his way with his meager purchase.
Once I realized the gravity of his situation (quick math revealed he had less than $20), I felt terrible for him. But then I felt, and continue to feel, remorse for not doing anything about it to this day. How hard would it have been to tack his groceries to my tab, including the meat? I could have been a blessing, but now I live with my blunder. I had the opportunity to hear Jesus tell me, “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat” (Matthew 25:35). Instead, I have a new addition to my “Missed Opportunity” trophy case.
Jesus said the second greatest commandment is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). God places us in a position to do this daily. The question is, are we paying attention?
I failed that day at Walmart. I’m grateful the Holy Spirit continues to convict me when I fall short. Next time I’ll do better.
Lord willing!
Prayer: Lord, give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear opportunities to love our neighbors today.