"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." James 4:13-14 NKJV
Many people put things off until tomorrow, or worse - 'some other day'. Many times, the latter never happens. We make promises to our kids and family that we will go to a certain place soon but, despite their constant enquiries about when we will do this, we defer the action.
Many is the time that something needs doing today but, we decide for one reason or another, that we will do it tomorrow. I can be a little like this regarding my tax return. It doesn't take very long to do but, it keeps getting put to the bottom of my list of things to do.
Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” The attitude that defers things to some undefined “one day” is an assumption we'll be around. We may not. And what we leave undone or unsaid could make a vast difference for those we leave behind. The Free Dictionary says, 'Procrastination, which this type of behaviour can be called, is to put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness. To act this way we tend to postpone or delay needlessly.
The thing is, when we defer action by putting things on the list for tomorrow, tomorrow may bring something else that will take its place and push it back further. In fact, it may never get done because, we don't know just how long any of us has left to live. This is why it is important to do what we can today, instead of leaving it until tomorrow. For some, tomorrow may not come.
In addition, when we make plans without consulting God first, James says that our action is called 'boasting'. This is a presumption that we, not God, are in control of the circumstances of our life; and this is a very unwise thing to do. God must have the first place in our lives. We must entrust things to Him on a daily basis:
'Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him and, He shall direct your path'. Proverbs 3:5-6
So, how are you doing as far as this goes? Do you defer action and/or do you make promises without God's advice or knowledge? If you can answer 'yes' to these two questions, perhaps you need to re-think your walk with Jesus.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
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