Life is Brief; Live Well Today

31 Days of Courageous Hope - Day 3

Saturday - July 3rd

Scripture to Read Today: James 4:13-15

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You do not know what tomorrow will bring.

What is your life? For you are a mist that appears

for a little time and then vanishes.

James 4:14

If you had your morning coffee today, you might have noticed the steam over your cup when the coffee was first poured. Then, a few moments later, the steam was gone. That is the image James gives us in James 4:14. Your life is like that steam on that cup of coffee - "appears for a little time and then vanishes."

In light of all eternity or even the span of human history, our lives are incredibly brief. Add to that the fact we don't control all of the variables that shape our lives -or even our day. Life can be frustrating. The uncertainty ahead can paralyze us.

The Scriptures tell us we should trust God with tomorrow. Over the last couple of years during worship services at Calvary, we have sung the song, "I Will Look Up." At the heart of the chorus, the lyrics say, "I will look back and see that You are faithful. I look ahead, believing You are able." Love the perspective that brings.

I still find myself at times trying to control the variables regarding tomorrow. It never works. Not being able to see what will happen in our kids' lives in the years to come, if we will get that promotion, whether bulls or bears will control the markets, or whether that cancer will take a loved one's life; all of it is impossible to know from our human perspective. The unknowns of tomorrow can overwhelm us today - if we let them.

Tomorrow can root fear deep in our souls. It can make us worried about waking up to what it might bring. God knows all you will face tomorrow. He is ready to walk with you through the challenges and the blessings. While you do not know what tomorrow will hold for you, your God does. Nothing will surprise Him. Everything that will happen (the good, bad, and ugly) in your life tomorrow will be Father-filtered. He knows that as you walk with Him, you can handle everything life throws at you.

Life is like a wisp of steam on morning coffee. It is here one day and gone tomorrow. We need to walk with God today and trust God for tomorrow. What might happen or is happening should not paralyze us. God’s got this. Life is too brief to let the unknowns rob us of our peace and joy.

You may not know what tomorrow holds, but you can know the One Who holds tomorrow!

Today’s Prayer

Lord, let me live with confidence today even if tomorrow seems frightening. Help me to make today count. Teach me that life is too brief to waste a moment today worrying about tomorrow! - Amen