Girls this lesson today was God's gift to me. With the unexpected death of a loved one this week, I found myself asking why God would take this man home right now. How would this impact those in our family who aren't believers and how could I hold on to my belief that what James says in 4:13-17 is true? I know that we are not promised tomorrow and everything we do is God willing. It's just so hard sometimes to understand how His plan plays out for eternity. All of this to say that these were words I needed to hear today.
Of course we make plans and of course we hope our tomorrows are filled with the dreams we dream and the schedules we want to keep. Reading James, do you think he is saying that making plans of any kind or jotting notes on the calendar is wrong? If not, what do you think he is saying? Or, if so, what are his grounds?
As someone who is a BIG planner, I don't think that is what James is saying at all. I think he is saying that we need to prayerfully consider what we are doing and understand God gives us our days to use. He just wants to make sure we know that these days come from Him and He is in charge.
I love to plan. I organize, schedule, color code my calendar and then check it all twice. I can spend hours researching things for trips we plan to take and activities for my kids to participate in. I sit in the car at practices and rush home to do homework and over see piano practice. I am the person who has to take a hard look at James 4:14 "What is your life like?" Am I doing all that is important in this world or am I simply breezing through, checking off my list, failing to live intentionally.
Read Psalm 39:4-8. In the margin and underline every similarity in this Old Testament segment to James 4:13-17. When was the last time you were reminded that you don't know what a day might bring?
In the past week we have received news of a nephew who was in a car accident and an uncle who passed away. I would say this has been a time when I need the daily reminder that only God knows our days and I have to live each day for God as if it could be my last.
If anyone has anything to add about the idea of consumerism and what Jesus has to say about it, please go ahead and discuss. For me this week, the lesson didn't impact me too much in this area.
Let's go over our immediate reactions to the scriptures Beth had us go through:
Psalm 139:16
God knew me before I was formed
Acts 17:26-28
God made all of us
Ephesians 2:10
I am a masterpiece to God
Psalm 33:10-12
Gods plans come to fruition
What difference, if any, might these thoughts make in your present struggle?
It's the reminder I need right now regarding everything. God is in control and He loves us so much . I don't know what the bigger picture looks like, but God's plan is perfect.
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