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We go about our lives many days believing we control everything. We make minute to minute decisions. We make short term and long term plans. We love meeting our goals.
Some of us obsessive planners have everything mapped out to beyond the grave.
Some live moment to moment and never worry about what’s next.
Either way of approaching life is a way of subconsciously saying, “Hey, I got this. Everything is under control in my life.”
And when we think things are under our control, we feel more secure. If things are working out, we take that as a hopeful sign for the future.
But then, completely unexpected things happen. They may happen to us individually. They may happen to friends or family. They may happen to people we don’t know, but hear about on the news.
Either way, it is a reminder we are not in control. And there are some really awful things that happen in life that are beyond our control. Some of them happen suddenly, unexpectedly … not even time to make a last minute plan.
Jay and I have both experienced medical crises that hit us suddenly and unexpectedly. We have had friends die in car accidents or plane crashes.
This past week 67 people got on planes, fully expecting to continue their life today. They crashed. All were lost.
Besides feeling the shared grief of those who mourn, it is yet another reminder life can change in a second.
Should that certain knowledge keep us in an ongoing state of panic? No.
It should cause us to value this moment getting to be in this place with these people. It should cause us to look … really look … at all around us and appreciate it all.
It should prompt us not to waste another moment on any negative emotion that would seek to steal the joy of this moment.
It should prompt us to value those things that can never be taken away … those things that will go on forever.
We should put more value on the treasures awaiting us in heaven than the perishable things of earth. When it is time to let go, we should do so graciously and be ready to joyfully enter Heaven.
Should we make any plans for the future?
Jesus said,
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34
Some people think, “Oh Jesus said, ‘Don’t plan.’”
But He did not say that. He said, “Don’t worry about it.” If you read the rest of what He said, you will find it all has to do with focusing on how much God takes care of us, so we don’t have to be anxious.
In fact, Jesus endorses some planning.
He said,
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
Luke 14:28
James puts planning in perspective by saying this.
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
James 4:13-15
So the summary of how to live life is this.
Stay connected to God every moment.
Ask Him what He wants you to do.
Do it.
Don’t worry about what He will tell you to do next.
Don’t worry.
Whether our next second is in Heaven or on earth, He is with us.
Trust Him. He has The Plan.
Be sure of this. I am with you always.
Matthew 28:20
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares The Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
