“13Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ – 14yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” – James 4:13-14 (ESV)
I do not know if tomorrow will even make it. I should not really look for what tomorrow holds. I should prepare for tomorrow, and spend my time doing the work of today.
Yesterday, Lori was so excited about completing her list of tasks for the week as she had some time for it whereas over the past few weeks, time has been in short supply. We had a good discussion about task lists and that it might be a good process to come up with a “today” list and a “this week” list. The “today” list would be for those items that MUST get done today, and the “this week” is for those items that are not overly critical, and as long as complete by the end of the week the target has been complete.
When I look at verses 13 and 14 above, I see those 2 lists. Today is for those critical must do items and our focus should be there as we do the work of God. Tomorrow is for those items that if not specifically done, really will not impact immediately the work we are doing for God.
I have to remember to turn my attention to the today and work the list of to do items God has for me to complete. Once I have completed that list, I can begin to prepare the list for tomorrow and work on those items that were not as critical for completion today.
We are distracted by many things and those distractions are usually items that are not as critical as they appear to be. What might be urgent for one person may not be as urgent or even as important for me. I have my own tasks to complete and have to avoid being dragged into things that take me away from those tasks.
I want to be careful in that I am not saying we are to help and serve others. What I am saying is that I have to be careful to put the tasks God has given me for today on hold. While I am working on the preparations for upcoming, I should absolutely step in and provide for those around me. I need to look at the item presented and use the wisdom and guidance and discernment provided by God to take the appropriate action in completing the work God has given to me.
I can prepare for tomorrow, and I need to work for today. As is written in verse 14 above, “you do not know what tomorrow will bring”. I have to work for today, doing the work of God today and allow tomorrow to take care of itself.
How much effort are you putting into the planning for and looking to the tomorrow? What about your work on today? Are you preparing for tomorrow, yet working on today?
Trevor's Thoughts 