James 4:13–17
I live by my calendar. If something is not on it, there is a strong possibility it will not happen. It keeps me organized, reminds me where I am supposed to be and gives me the comforting illusion that I am in complete control. Then life looks at my carefully planned week and laughs out loud.
James describes people confidently announcing where they will go, how long they will stay, what business they will conduct and how much money they will make. They sound organized, prepared and completely certain about the future. Their problem is simple. They have forgotten God.
James is not criticizing planning. Planning is wise. Scripture encourages preparation, diligence and good stewardship. The problem begins when we treat our plans as guarantees and quietly expect God to work around our schedule.
James reminds us that we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Our lives are like mist. We appear for a little while and then disappear. That is humbling, especially for those of us who schedule appointments months ahead and become mildly irritated when someone asks, “Are you free tomorrow?” James is not telling us to throw away the calendar. He is telling us to loosen our grip on it.
“Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:15, NLT).
Those words are not a religious disclaimer we tack onto every plan. They reflect a surrendered heart. They remind us that God is sovereign, tomorrow is a gift and our plans must remain open to His direction.
Make your plans. Schedule the meeting. Block out the time. Just remember that the calendar is a tool, not a throne. God may interrupt your schedule, redirect your steps or place someone in front of you who matters more than your next appointment. The most important thing you do today may not be what you planned.
Tomorrow belongs to God. Faithfulness is what He asks from us today.