Attitude

Attitude

How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:14-15

In James 4:13-17 James warned believers that boasting and self-confidence are dangerous. A group of believers were bragging about their plans and the success they were expecting, announcing they were planning to go into the city, set up a business, and return as very wealthy people. Their attitude was anything but humble; rather, it was downright proud, and God hates pride.

James warned this proud group of people that their arrogance was foolish for two reasons. First, how did they know what would happen tomorrow? Only God knows what will happen in the future, and any person who thinks he or she also knows is basically claiming to be God. Second, James reminded believers that our lives here on earth are likened to a mist or a vapor, neither of which gives the impression of permanence. As quickly as a mist comes into view, it disappears or evaporates.

Our lives are so brief that we cannot afford to live carelessly or aimlessly. The proper attitude for a mom who follows Christ to have is: “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” Those may also be words that we speak to our children, but most important, they need to be lived out in a life that trusts God. We cultivate this kind of life by spending time daily, praying and asking God that his will be done in our lives, just like the pattern he left for us in the Lord’s Prayer.

Father,

Sometimes we rush ahead and make plans without asking you for wisdom and direction. We know that you are in control and we are not. May we look to you regularly so that the things that are important to you become important to us. Amen.