Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:13-17).
During the month of May, we will (Lord willing) move into our newly renovated auditorium and the school will occupy its new facility. We have been blessed at Karns to have such a loving and caring church family who have supported this effort in so many amazing ways. You have stepped up with your money, time, talents and encouragement. We must now continue to work the plan to plant seeds and evangelize our friends and neighbors, praying for God to bring the increase. All of this did not happen by accident nor was it planned in just the last few days or weeks. These things were planned over the span of several years with God in the forefront. Through earnest prayer, diligent effort and God’s help these plans are being realized. In the scripture text for this article, James discusses the subject of making plans.
This subject is very relevant for us today, for we all make plans of one sort or another: plans for college, jobs, marriage, family, retirement and the list goes on. Making plans, in and of itself, is not wrong. Paul often made plans regarding his travels (Acts 15:36; 18:20-21; 1 Cor. 16:5-9). In fact, making plans (or setting goals) is a key to success in any life venture. As parents we all have goals and plans for our children.
In making plans we should always consider and submit to God’s will. We can make our plans, but we should make them contingent to God’s approval (“if the Lord wills”, verse 15). This is what Paul did (“God willing”, Acts 18:21; “if the Lord permits”, 1 Cor. 16:7). Saying “if the Lord wills” assumes our faith in two things: That God does have a will for us (even in mundane matters) and that God can intervene (via providence) to carry out His will. There is wisdom in making our plans contingent upon the will of God.
If we really want our plans to succeed, then we will seek first to discern God’s will and plan accordingly. To a great degree, this is possible, for God wants us to understand His Will (Eph. 5:17), be filled with His Will (Col. 1:9), and to prove His Will (Rom. 12:2). Of course, this relates especially to His “revealed” will which pertains to matters of right and wrong as found in the Bible. When we know God’s “revealed” will (through study of the Bible), then we can act or plan accordingly.
Obviously then, a wrong way to plan would be to ignore God’s will. To plan this way is but folly (James 4:13-15). This is because life is so complex. There are the complexities of TIME (today, tomorrow, when?), the complexities of ACTIVITIES (buy, sell?). Life is filled with uncertainties. No one has a guarantee of tomorrow. Only God can bring about what He wills for the future without fail. Life is FRAIL, like a “vapor”. Just how quickly we can succumb to sickness or an accident illustrates how frail we really are. Because life is BRIEF, it “appears for a little time”.
How do we make our plans? If we plan without considering the will of God, then we are foolish, arrogant, and sinful! If we make our plans subject to the approval of God, then we are wise, submissive, and righteous in God’s sight! If we endeavor to plan as much as we can within the framework of God’s “revealed” will, then we increase the likelihood of success!
For the Elders (Gregg Woodall)