December 27, 2023

James 4: 13, 15 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.” . . . Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (NIV)

Sometimes, when all life’s lessons have been learned, we shall see how all God’s plans were right, and how what seemed reproof was love most true.*

One of my duties in the Supervisor of Elections office was to assist people with filing their paperwork to run for public office. Over the years, more than one candidate confided in me that they had prayed about their decision to run. I may have rained on their parade a bit by reminding them that while God might want them to run for office, it might not be his will for them to win. (Which turned out to be true in my own case as well!)

We may have learned the futility of attempting anything without first seeking God’s will but we often need to be reminded that success and happiness are not guaranteed results. Sometimes God’s will is the path we take, not the destination at the end of it. Many times God has led me down a fruitless trail – or so it would seem. But every dead-end had a purpose of its own – to test my willingness to obey; to strengthen my faith; to be a witness to someone else; or something yet to be revealed!

So, as James advises, we should preface our plans with, “If it is God’s will . . .” and then expect that we might not end up where we thought we would.

God’s plans can be on a greater scale than our worthy, heartfelt prayers.*