Dear all, the Bible 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.  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 in your arrogant schemes.  All such boasting is evil” (Jas. 4:13-16).

A person may be highly qualified and very capable.  He may even be very healthy.  It is natural for that person to thus think that he has a bright and sure future ahead of him.  James, however, warns us that “you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.”  In other words, you are unable to decide what tomorrow will bring and hence your plans to succeed in life may not work out.  The reason why it may not work out is because we may die anytime: “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”  James’ purpose of telling us this is to remind us that the person who controls our life is not ourselves but the Lord: “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  The main point is: understand that God is the one who determines the kind of life you lead.  This should change how we live our life.

First, since God holds absolute power over our life, ensure that we please Him and gain his favour.  Then He will shower on us blessings that truly benefit us.  The way to please Him is to put Him first in our lives.  In all that you do, instead of asking: “What do I like?”  You should ask: “What does God want me to do?”  Do not live a self-centred life: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24).  God gives life to those who are willing to give it up for God’s sake.  Be more concerned about your spiritual life: have you become more holy in your habits and lifestyle?  Be more concerned about saving souls into eternal life.  This is God’s heartbeat.  Be more concerned about your children’s souls than about their physical needs.  Be spiritual.

Second, don’t waste your time.  You may not have tomorrow.  Do not think that just because you are healthy, you will be alive next week.  You may not be.  Be sober.  Be realistic.  If the Lord calls you home next week, are you ready to meet God?  Are you confident that you have done much for God and will receive His praises?  Or will you be frightened?  I urge you: wake up from you dream.  Understand that you may not be alive on earth next week or even tomorrow.  You must work hard for God whilst you have the breath of life.  Then, God will reward you with eternal rewards.