What we say concerning our life speaks much about our assumptions in life. We thought modern day people are smart and always have our future in mind and planning for it, but we read in this passage that in the days of the early church, there were already people who had the same kind of thoughts and assumptions concerning their lives.

Here, James was not addressing unbelievers who naturally had the world’s concerns as their priority. He was speaking to believers, but he did not say that as Christians we should not plan for our future. Rather, I believe he was warning against presumptuousness because there were people who assume that life would go on and on, and by their own effort and ability, they would work and surely gain profit for themselves.

Verse 14 tells us the truth of the uncertainties of life – that we do not know what is going to happen tomorrow. The reality is: today we could be well, but the next day we might fall sick. One day, I was thinking about the meaning of the word “future,” and I realized that if I were taking a walk, the very next step that I took, I was literally “stepping into the future!” Even in our sleep, we are sleeping into the future!

This realization of the uncertainty of life should cause us to think of its temporal nature, and to hold it with open hands, because we are “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” If this were so, and it is, then how should we live our life? Instead of living presumptuously or assumingly, we need to live circumspectively and humbly. Instead of living grumpily or complaining, we should live with gladness and appreciation in our hearts.

Yes, we need to plan, and plan tentatively, because as someone says, “If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.” However, when we plan, we should commit our plans and our ways to the Lord, so that He would cause them to be aligned with His will, and to succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)

James’ warning is for those who are proud and boastful about their plans and successes. He calls this behaviour “evil” and “sin.” Are there among us, believers in Christ, who in their riches and success, have allowed their wealth and prosperity to have a hold of their hearts, and think that they have become self-sufficient, proud, and presumptuous, and slowly neglect their dependence on the God who has blessed them with all blessings and good things?

The right thing for a Christian to do (v. 17) is always to live a humble, just, and kind lifestyle. This is the central call of Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” May God help us never to leave Him nor forsake Him, in the same way that He has promised not to do so to us.

Dear God, help me and my fellow brothers and sisters to always seek to do the right thing, to know that the future is in your hands, and to entrust our lives and all our ways to follow your will. Please forgive us for the times when we thought we have made it because of our own effort and strength, or our cleverness and wisdom. Teach us to live each day of our life intentionally and tentatively, and be willing to change, adjust and align ourselves to your will. May your will be done in our life as it is in heaven. Amen!