Think About This
Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, the time when Punxsutawney Phil will predict the weather for the next six weeks. Studies show he’s right about 50% of the time, so plan accordingly. On my way into church today I was listening to a radio show where listeners called in to predict the winners and losers in tonight’s Iowa political caucuses. During the time I was listening no two callers made the same prediction. Most of the people I’ve talked to would rather vote against a particular candidate than vote for another. And, in case you’ve somehow missed it, next Sunday the Carolina Panthers will play in the Super Bowl. I’d love to predict the outcome right now, but I am neither a prophet or the son of a prophet. They’re going to have to play the game before we can know the outcome.
Danish physicist Niels Bohr once said, “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future.” There are so many unknowns, so much we can’t anticipate. Next Sunday our study of James brings us to a group of men who had a can’t miss business plan, one that predicted great profits, but left out one important thing. Listen to what James says in chapter 4 beginning in verse 13.
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.
Whether the groundhog is right or wrong, we will get through. If it’s sunny, we’ll smile. If we face some cold and icy weeks we’ll bundle up. If our candidate loses in Iowa we will somehow “weather” the loss. There’s always New Hampshire or whatever comes after that. And if our team somehow loses next Sunday we will survive.** But what is most important is how we live the “vapor” of a life we have. Rather than seek our wills and our plans, we should say, “If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that.” His will is going to be done. We just need to get in line with His will as revealed in the Bible. Then we’ll never be wrong.
Think about that,
RB