I was reintroduced to James 4:13-17 this week:
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. Instead you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows what he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
On Tuesday I hinted at a story that revives Myke Phoenix, Paul Phillips and all the rest. James cautions me against saying, “I’m going to write a story returning to the world and characters from the Adventures of Myke Phoenix.” Instead I will say, if it is the Lord’s will, I hope to write a Myke Phoenix novel.
Two lines especially jump out at me from the James excerpt.
“You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Such a brief moment is 70, 80, 90 or even 100 years against the vast fabric of time and eternity.
“Anyone, then, who know what he ought to do and doesn’t say it, sins.” I often contemplate the actions I ought to take and hesitate. I am the most miserable of sinners in that sense. It is a great comfort, and yet only a little comfort, that my sins are forgiven.
Or are they? Do I sin against my forgiveness by hesitating still? I’m sure theologians have ways to answer that question both yes and no. Lord give me the strength to do the things I ought to do and thereby make the question moot.
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