Who’s in Control?

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 and brag. All such boasting is evil. James 4:13-16.

It’s human nature to make plans and set goals. We have calendars on our computers or phones to help us keep track of our schedules. It’s part of wanting to maintain control of everything around us. As we get wrapped up in making it through each day or week, it’s easy to forget that our time here is limited and that we do not control the time we have.
            
There are a number of songs, movies, and books that address heaven and our beliefs about what it will be like. George Strait had a song called “You’ll Be There” that mentions making it to the “other side” to see a loved one. One line says, “From the beginning of creation I think our maker had a plan, for us to leave these shores and sail beyond the sand.” Later, the song states, “Well, you don’t bring nothin’ with you here, and you can’t take nothin’ back, I ain’t never seen a hearse with a luggage rack.”

The lyrics remind us that, no matter what plans we make, God has his own plan for us. But the plans mean nothing if we leave God out of them. As the scripture says, we are a mist that appears for a while and then vanishes. Sometimes we create turmoil in our lives by trying to fit in more activities or finish more projects. In the process, we may forget to say “I love you” or to thank God for our blessings. We need to remember that the future is in God’s hands.
    
Prayer: Dear Lord, Forgive us for wanting to control our lives when we know that it is you who are in control. Help us to spend more time with you each day so that our time here is more valuable. Thank you for your gifts, and help us as we strive to live for you today. Amen.

Robin Hadfield