“If the Lord Wills”
We never know what each year or day will bring us, yet we imagine that we are in control of life. The often-quoted saying attributed to Josephson goes, “You are the captain of your own ship; don’t let anyone else take the wheel.” The average person takes that advice literally as they attempt to seize control of their own direction and destiny. Yet, some Christians understand that we are not truly in charge of our own lives, and we certainly cannot control what happens in the future.
Our very good friends from seminary (has it really been over 20 years ago?), Michael and Angela, started their career in Africa. They would have loved to remain there until retirement, but they were reassigned to Ukraine. Again, they loved the people and made plans to settle permanently but were sent next to the Republic of Georgia. Georgia was supposed to be their final location, and they poured themselves into the culture and the local people, but earlier this year they found themselves back in the US. All the while, they were learning languages and immersing themselves in the cultures, not to mention having three children!
If anyone has needed to learn the Biblical precept of remaining flexible with plans, it is Michael and Angela. Have you also learned to trust God for each day rather than controlling your own destiny? Here is wisdom to take to heart: [13] Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; [14] whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. [15] Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." (James 4:13-15 NKJV)
If you are honest with yourself, you understand that you were never really the captain of your own ship. Why pretend control of your destiny and your future? Trust the Lord for each day, and make tentative plans by saying, “If the Lord wills.”
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