You Only Have Today!
(March 9, 2026)
We’ve all done it. We have all talked about our plans to do this or that tomorrow
or next week or next month, or next year. The ambitious among us may even
make a five-year plan, as well. So, Mike, you may be thinking, what’s your point?
That is a legitimate question. My point is found in James 4:13-15 which says,
“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.”
Friend, James is not saying to not make plans, for he explains a little later in the
chapter in verse 15, “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live
and do this or that.”
Here’s a small example of what James means…About three years ago I was
looking forward to going to our church’s Easter Sunrise Service then have a family
breakfast and attend our regular church service when suddenly that morning I
developed a significant bleeding problem and spent the day and that night in the
hospital. Thankfully, it turned out to not be serious, but it highlighted to me the
truth of James’ admonition in these verses. You never know what may happen.
This truth should cause us to consider three things 1) We do not know what is
going to happen 2) We should be grateful for each day as it comes, and 3) We
should stay prepared to meet God at any time.
How are you doing in these three areas? Are you prepared to meet God if He
should call you into eternity today? Do you live each day with a spirit of gratitude
for the life God has given you? Do you make plans with an “if the Lord wills”
mindset? Or do you just assume your plans will always be fulfilled?
May the Lord help us to be mindful of the uncertainty of life and hold everything
with open hands, ready for the Lord to make changes as He wills. He always
knows what is best and has complete control over everything in our lives. We can
trust Him!