Nothing Surprises Him
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. James 4:13-14 (NIV)
When I was younger, I used to be more spontaneous but now, I do not get that excited. I like to plan and know. Michael and I differ on this point. When I ask, “What would you like to do tomorrow?” usually the response goes something like this: “I’ll let you know tomorrow.” I don’t often pursue it and I am frequently surprised with his pleasant choices. Tricia Gover (Mornings with Jesus) has learned some great lessons about plannibng and the One who never changes.
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I am not a spontaneous person. I love to plan, and seeing my calendar full makes me happy. But as a mom of ten children, my days rarely go as planned. I’ve made arrangements with friends only to have my children become ill. I’ve designed a relaxing evening only to hear about a significant school project due the next day. Flat tires, drop-in visitors, and serious late-night talks often surprise me. Each day seems to bring something different.
Unlike me, your life may not be full of family interruptions, yet my guess is your days rarely go as planned either. The only thing we can know for sure about tomorrow is that Jesus will be there with us. We may not know where we’ll be tomorrow or next year. We may have unexpected losses or extraordinary surprises, but we can have hope knowing Jesus will be there. As fragile as life can sometimes be, Jesus cares greatly for each of us. While we may not control our calendar, we can continue to turn our hearts to the One who will be with us, no matter what tomorrow holds.
After all, nothing surprises Him.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your eternal presence. You are with us no matter what happens. Help us accept and balance our lives with planning and spontaneity. AMEN.