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
Heavenly Father, you haven’t made us for “15 minutes in the spotlight,” but for an eternity of glorifying you and enjoying you forever. As this day begins, I praise you for such a hope and future—a future that’s already begun for us in Jesus. Our eternal life began the day you “raised us up in Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 2:6)… to the praise of your glorious grace. (Eph. 1:6)
Yet, Father, this Scripture reminds me that our lifespan in this body isn’t very long at all. We’re more like a brief mist than an aging oak. I feel this more than ever… and I’m both sobered and gladdened by the thought.
Here are my thoughts and prayer. Only you know when I’ll “vanish” from this body… only you know what tomorrow will bring. I’ll keep on planning, but it’s you who orders our steps (Prov. 16:9). But how would you have me live the rest of my “misty moment?”
In light of the gospel, what should I spend more time doing, and less time doing? What’ve I been putting off that really matters to you? Where in Jesus’ story of redemption and restoration would you have me invest more of my passion, energy, joy and tears? What gospel issues would you have me engage with more fully? Human trafficking… advocacy for the poor… elder care… missions to a particular unreached people group… encouraging missionaries and young pastors?
What’s bugging me that isn’t all that “bug-worthy”? Where should I spend more of your money and less of my worries? With whom should I spend more face-to-face and heart-to-heart time? Who’s coming behind me that I need to teach and nurture in the gospel? What relationships have I wrongly allowed to drain me… mentally and emotionally? Who am I still holding hostage by the chains of my unforgiveness and bitterness?
Father, I praise you that I’m not going to merit any more of your affection by doing a better job with any of these things. None of these questions has a scorecard attached to it. It’s Jesus’ performance and record I boast in… but your grace frees me to ask the right questions and live a freer, more intentional life. Make my gospel-bucket-list for me, Father. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ matchless and magnificent name.
