James challenges us as to whether we even know what will happen tomorrow, and that our lives are as a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Rather, James recounts: "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
Therefore my cautionary theme in this article is as it was for James, is that of the dangers associated with boasting and bragging. James says that all such boasting is evil and more so, anyone, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
I am an unusually forward thinking individual. I have known what I wanted to be involved with since I was 14, and have forgone many immediate things for long term goals. I have many plans, sometimes they seem endless. I often state them to others, which makes it only worse when they fail. This has been a hard lesson, as I have often been disappointed when my plans do not come to fruition.
Normally I blame myself and sometimes others. But the reality is that no matter how well we set our plans nothing can happen without God's will.
The source of the trouble is not in planning or ambition, both of which I believe are generally useful. The problem is an attitude of independence from the will of God, the thought that my plans are good enough.
I have often expressed such a pride in my knowledge and ability so that there is no room for the acknowledgement of God in my life or in my plans. I hope that I am slowly learning that all my plans should have an attitude of "God willing".
A thoughtful illustration
If our plans aren't God's then we should be happy when they fail, as God's plan for us is always better than our own. Look at Jesus' own illustration of this, he did not want to experience some of the things God had planned. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed about his upcoming betrayal and death: Matthew 26 verse 39 "...My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Jesus did not wish to suffer, but he submitted to the will of the Father as God's plan is greater than our own desires. It is not wrong to have desires and plans, but stating that you will do anything apart from Gods' will is boasting and evil (James 4 verse 16).
Furthermore it is important that "... if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth." (James 3 verse 14, my emphasis in bold)
If we defy Gods' will knowingly God will judge us and humble us, just as he has humbled the Israelites throughout the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 8 verse 2).
In my newly married life I hope to maintain an attitude of humility as there are so many new things to consider and plans to make. And while I will continue to make plans with my amazing wife, without a humble attitude of "God Willing" we risk becoming too proud and failing.
The message from James is that in all things (home, relationships, work, creativeness, play, whatever) we will try to seek the Lord's will, and then, as James says, if it be God's Will, those plans will not fail. This provides great assurance and confidence at the start of a new year.
Nathanael Yates from Perth, Western Australia, is an award winning young scientist completing a PhD in the neurobiology of schizophrenia
Nathanael Yates' previous articles may be viewed at: www.pressserviceinternational.org/nathanael-yates.html