So often we are guilty of believing that our destiny is in our own hands. We ought to have learned during the past two years that such a belief falls well short of reality. Self-confidence has largely evaporated in the face of a deadly virus!

Hopefully, recent experiences have taught us that it is foolish to boast about long-term plans. There is nothing wrong with planning, but it matters how we approach it. In his letter, James gives us a clear warning: ‘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 aa profit; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow’, James chapter 3 verse 13. How often have you and I been guilty of expressing similar sentiments? We foolishly believe that we can control WHAT we are going to do in the future, WHERE & WHEN we are going to carry out our plans and even think that we can predict what THE OUTCOMES will be. The truth is that we can’t be certain about what is going to happen tomorrow, let alone in the distant future! Solomon, who was noted for his wisdom, wrote, ‘Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth’, Proverbs chapter 27 verse 1. James brings us down to earth, when he writes, ‘For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away’, James chapter 4 verse 12.

However, he does not leave us without guidance as to how we can plan, correctly: ‘Instead you ought to say, ‘IF THE LORD WILLS, we shall live and do this or that’, James chapter 4 verse 15. Just prior to his death on the cross, Jesus prayed, ‘Father, if it is YOUR WILL, take this cup from Me; nevertheless not MY WILL, BUT YOURS, BE DONE’, Luke 22.42.

May we learn that the only safe pathway is to PLAN OUR LIVES WITH GOD!