First, an apology is in order. I have been a slacker! I told myself when I started this blog that I would not go weeks without posting. Last week was horrendous but we won't let excuses get in the way :)
I also wanted to thank you for all the positive reaction I've had to this blog. I honestly did not think that I would impact so many people in so many ways. It reassures me that I am letting God speak through my personal struggles and my studies. That has been the purpose for this blog, not to make everyone think I'm awesome but that God is awesome! To reach people and teach them about God's love and law that may not get to hear it elsewhere. Now, onto the study!
The Book of James is one of my favorites. He is to the point, no nonsense, action based faith kinda guy. It's bold scripture, calling for action and change. The Book of James is a place I have found myself going to for passive reading, answers and studies like this one.
I want to talk about James Chapter 4, specifically verses 13-17.
"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
I originally thought that this verse taught not to plan, but to let the Lord plan your tomorrow. That really freaked me out because I am a crazy detailed planner. Just ask to see last week in my planner and you'll understand. However, upon some meditation, I really believe that it is the attitude that this verse is teaching. James is speaking to those who are boastful in their plans, to those who rely completely on themselves for tomorrow. These people are arrogant and proud about their future plans. James reminds us that our lives are fleeting and we should put our tomorrow in the hands of the Lord. Some more support for this thought is that the Bible does teach being industrial, not just lay around and wait for God to plop something in your lap. Some examples are:
Proverbs 31:27- "She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness."
2 Thessalonians 3:10- "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. "
1 Timothy 5:8- "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. "
Another example is the apostle Paul planned to go to Rome to preach the Gospel, being purposed by the Holy Spirit, and did all he could to get there. Acts 19:21- "When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
James also writes that "boasting is evil", not that the plans were evil. Your attitude about your future and who's hands you place it in is crucial!
This applies so much to Jeffrey and I. Big changes are coming fast and hard! It's only 7 weeks now till graduation! Its a little over 2 years until Jeffrey graduates as a licensed physical therapist. After then we could move, we could stay in Stillwater, we could buy a house or start a family. We talk about the future a lot these days because it is exciting but we can never forget what our attitude should be! We "ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that” (verse 15). A humble and servant-like attitude should be applied to our plans. If it were written on paper it would look like this:
In 7 weeks I will graduate and begin a full time job. We will begin saving up for a house and begin paying off student loans in Stillwater, OK.
In 2 years, Jeffrey will graduate and be employed by the Chickasaw Nation Hospital. We will buy a house with acreage and start a family. Jeffrey will do church work part-time and I will be a full time mom and help to Jeffrey. -- These plans are subject to change according to what is best for expanding and strengthening the Lord's Kingdom, and to His Will.
I normally would plan everything down to the last detail, which is a waste of time when (not if, but when) things change. Its fun to dream every now and then but I can't foresee the obstacles and opportunities set before us and how this will change the direction of our family; but God does. I will do my best to prepare as best I can and then let Him handle it. Thinking about it, I've never gone hunger or naked or even without abundant blessings. There is no guarantee that life will be great all the time, but there's not a whole lot of reason to worry or be a crazy-planner either.
Matthew 6:30- "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "
I will probably have to go and read my these passages everyday to remind myself of this lesson and to break myself of a boastful attitude. I'm also going to include this in my prayers as a reminder as well. Come to think of it, I should probably go ahead and write these verses on my planner.
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