Good Morning! This week, we lost my aunt. She was 77 years old. She was a Christian so I know that she is in a much better place. She is no longer in any pain. She is able to walk around heaven praising God. She is visiting with her parents. She is truly missed already...after only a few days.
This loss has gotten me to thinking about the vapor of this life. The brevity of life is a theme throughout the several books in the Bible. Jesus spoke about it in Luke 12:20 (“20But God said to him, "You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?”). I find it ironic that people spend so much time securing their lives on earth and spend little or no thought about where they will spend eternity. David realized that amassing riches and busily accomplishing worldly tasks would make no difference in eternity. So many people today don't understand that their only hope is in the Lord.
It is good to have goals, but goals will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist, because the future is in His hands. What would you like to be doing ten years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will you react if God steps in and rearranges your plans? (Can I say, "Ouch!" to that one!!!) It's ok to plan ahead, but hold your plans loosely. Put God’s desires at the center of your planning; He will never disappoint you.
Life is short no matter how many years we live. We must not be deceived into thinking that we have lots of time remaining in this life. Whether we think we have all the time in the world to live for Christ, to enjoy our loved ones, or to do what we know we should. We MUST live for God today! Then, no matter when our life ends, we will know that we have fulfilled God’s plan for us.
Psalm 144:3-4 (CEV) tells us: "3Why do we humans mean anything to you, our Lord? Why do you care about us? 4We disappear like a breath; we last no longer than a faint shadow."
We read in James 4:14 (CEV): "14What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears."
Life is short. David reminds us that it is “like a breath” and that our “days are like a fleeting shadow.” James says that our lives are “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James
4:14). Because life is short, we should live for God while we have the time. Don’t waste your life by selecting an inferior purpose that has no lasting value. Live for God—He alone can make your life worthwhile, purposeful, and meaningful.Now, I know this is Thankful Thursday so what does all this have to do with that...not only do we need to understand that our live is but a vapor...but we need to be thankful for the time we do have on this earth! It's ok to make plans. It's ok to have dreams. I've heard it said that we should plan our lives like we'll live forever yet live like we won't see tomorrow. What better advice could we be given. Plan...yet live!
I pray that you will follow that advice...and while you are at it...spend a little extra time with those in your life that mean the most to you. If you do...when they are gone...you won't have regrets!
Be thankful...today and everyday!
"It is good to have goals, but goals will disappoint us if we leave God out of them"
ReplyDeleteThis is very very true! Thanks, Debi
Great post. We need to make plans but, as you said, hold loosely to them so that God can change them to fit what He wants for us. I want to follow His plan for my life.
ReplyDelete"How will you react if God steps in and rearranges your plans? It's ok to plan ahead, but hold your plans loosely." That is a good question. God knows me best and He has the best plans for me. I want to yield to His will.
ReplyDeleteYes, if we put God in the center of our plans we will be much better off. I think we should expect God to change some of our plans as we aren't able to know the best plan for each circumstances. We need to ask Him to control each of our plans and have His will then we know it will be the best for us. You have wise words for us in your post and I want to say 'thank you'. Have a great day and blessings to you. Love you.
ReplyDeleteI love the tribute you wrote to your aunt, that she is now heaven praising God.
ReplyDeleteLife is uncertain and we have to make sure we are following His plan not our own, Goals and ambition and great and as we are doing it in the will of God.
Blessings to you Debi.
I am so used to the way things are, slow relaxing wake up with coffee and my on line sisters ( via blogs) and then studying God's Word. I think I would have a hard time if God were to change things up. Only because I'm human. Yet there are days I ask for adventures and on occasion he sends me on one, its at those times I should trust Him and not panic. Plan each day but don't forget to live- I will remember that.
ReplyDeleteThanks