Brevity of Life

Family and Friends: We attended the funeral on Friday of a college friend, Vernon Bomgaars who died at age 70. We were in the same class at Northwestern, played basketball together and did various activities in Colenbrander Hall. Vern dealt with multiple physical adversities throughout his life. We also received news this week of the death of my oldest cousin Lenny's 49 year old son from cancer after a six month battle with it. Sad and tragic for his family. My heart aches for Lenny and Viola as they deal with this sorrow in their life. I surely would like to be closer to them to express support and care. One of the impacts of our mobile society is that families are separated and not able to experience the significant events of life together.

It was interesting that in the light of these two events that the scripture lesson I read today from James 4 spoke about the brevity of life. "Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money." Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the LORD wishes, we will live and do this or that."

The spiritual formation Bible makes this comment on these verses; "In the Mexican culture, "if God wishes" is a common expression that refers to the tenuous nature of daily living and future planning. James conveys the same idea. He prompts his readers [you and I] to live by an awareness of the radical contingency of their lives: "Instead you ought to say, 'If it is the LORD'swill, we will live and do...'" Examine your life; in what ways do you act as though tomorrow and the future are within your own control? Consider ways in which you could be more intentional in surrendering your plans to God and more open to divine guidance."

The ESV study Bible gives these notes to this Bible reading from James; "Too often people think they control events but fail to recognize God's providential control and the temporary nature of life, which is like a mist that can fade away at any moment. Planning and investing are not wrong, but arrogant self-confidence and boasting are. The key to these verses is "if the LORD wills, with "LORD" referring to Yahweh as Creator, who sustains the universe and whose will controls all that happens. We must make decisions based on submission to God's will."

In submitting to God's will it is most important to know that God is steadfast in love for us; merciful and gracious. God is on our side. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. If God be for us who or what can be against us. God shows this love for us in Jesus Christ. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. So our only comfort in life and in death is that we are not our own but we belong in life and in death to our faithful savior Jesus Christ who has fully paid for our sins with his precious blood. Yes Lord, I believe help me in my unbelief. There is so much heartache, evil, pain and sorrow in this fractured world. It batters my belief and faith. But with Job I will say, "Though God slays me yet will I hope in God." (Job 13:15)

So I end this writing with God's promise through the prophet Isaiah, "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not discouraged for I am your God. I will help you, I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my strong (or victorious) right hand." For me it is enough. I pray it might be for you as well.