Today’s Reading: James 4:13-17
You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring-what your life will be! For you are a bit of smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.
James 4:14
Reflection
Every moment we experience on Earth is afforded to us by God’s Providence. Every breath we breathe, every heartbeat is a gift that is not promised to us, but has been given generously by Him. James reminds the early believers that it is arrogant to think that one’s lives are truly their own, or to assume that tomorrow is guaranteed. Our lives are but a “smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” We exist in a miniscule slice time within the span of eternity. And within it, the Eternal God minds us each second, and decides for each of us when our time on earth is done. Every moment we are given by God should be used well. Every moment is an opportunity in which to work for God, glorify Him, and commune with Him.
How do we spend the seconds that God gives to us? Each one is like a tiny gem that can either be cherished or easily lost. Because only God determines the span of each person’s life, we must be mindful that every second could be our last. Do we squander our seconds and assume we will be given more to spend in vain, or are we good stewards of the time with which God has so richly blessed us? Do we spend our time speaking of the good that we will do for God, or do we actually invest our time serving Him? Looking ahead to tomorrow without focusing on today is a waste of our blessed time. Today is the day to serve God. This day, which the Lord has made for us, is the time to live for Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for every blessing You give so generously. Thank You for Your mercies which are new every morning. Thank You for all that You do to sustain me, that I am able to serve You because of the way You care for me so completely. Thank You for freeing me to live for You through Your Son Jesus Christ. Please help me to mindful of the blessed gift of time that You have afforded me. Please guide me to glorify You in it. Help me to do Your Will today, that my life would give You glory. I pray these things in the Name of Jesus my Lord, AMEN.
Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): James 4; Jeremiah 27-28; Psalm 132
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