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.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:13-17

This is another call to action! I don’t read this as a total opposite to Annie’s song “The sun’ll come out tomorrow, so ya gotta hang on ‘till tomorrow . . . you’re only a day away!” It doesn’t mean that we are not supposed to plan responsibly and hope for a brighter tomorrow. But it does mean that our first thoughts are to live Christ’s teachings. Our first thoughts are to be “How can I help my neighbor,” not “How can I help myself.” It is a blunt reminder that we are not around forever so we better make sure this day counts.

Prayer

Dear Lord, please help me to thoughtfully live my days to reflect your teaching. Please help me to search out what will bring joy to others and to do this in Your name, not mine. Please help me to humbly remember that the gifts I bring are Yours to share and it is through your will that I live each day. In Your name, Amen.