Passage: James 4:13-15
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go 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."
Ever have an experience that shook you so hard, that you will never really ever forget the moment that it took place? Well, I have... many in fact. But the most recent happened just about a week ago, and I am compelled to share it with you in the form of this devotional.
It's 12:50 local time in St. Louis, Missouri. Two people, myself and a friend, have been driving since early in the morning, and we won't stop until we're back home in Northeast Colorado. Total driving time for this day's trip: 20 hours. I am behind the wheel, and my friend is sitting in the passenger seat. We are just chatting about how narrow the interchanges on the highway are as we pass through St. Louis. Traffic alternates between a dead stop and full force 70 mph, and this can be tricky... even for experienced drivers.
As I look into the rear-view mirror, I notice that a big, 18 wheel semi-truck is a little closer to my tailpipe than I think is comfortable, and so as we negotiate the final merge on I-70, and directly in front of the stadium, I do my best to gain some distance. I am successful in getting to the inside lane, and I was able to put a single car between the truck and my vehicle... but just at that moment, the car in front of me swerves back to the center lane - and to my horror, I see a pickup truck stopped dead directly in front of another car that is stopped, which is directly in front of me!
I was able to swerve out of the way safely, and avoid being involved in what happened the very next second. Yes... I witnessed the most horrendous accident of my entire life through my rear view mirror, as I watched car after car hit the stopped vehicles, and then came that speeding semi-truck that didn't even have a chance! It jacknifed, and went spinning and sliding across all three lanes of traffic. All in all... it had to be a 30 car pileup... and there we were - on the other side by the grace of God - and that alone!
Today, I play a video in my mind - witnessing the deaths of several people through the screen of my van's mirror. I will forever be changed by the events of that day, and I am instantly reminded of the Scripture passage that I placed above.
We take so much for granted, friends. No one knows what tomorrow holds. The Word says that our lives are as mist... here today, and gone tomorrow. What are we doing with our "todays"? Are you making the very most out of each and every day that you are given? Do you remember to thank God for the gift of life - EVERY DAY?
Please friends, please keep in mind that while we all have a purpose - it is God who gives us that purpose. God is the One who allows us the privilege of knowing Him, and spending eternity with Him. And... with our "todays", we need to be sharing HIM with as many as we can. We need to let our lives be the testimony that shouts louder than anything we could possibly say.
I have been compelled into a deeper walk, and a greater sense of righteous boldness as it relates to sharing Christ with those around me as a result of the accident I just survived. Join me, if you will, in bringing glory to our Lord, and remember to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will LIVE, and do this or that"!
Prayer: Lord, let us never forget that YOU are the One in control of our lives. And if we have forgotten that fact, or if we have tried to take back that element of control in our lives, please forgive us. We wish to do that which pleases you... and nothing else. In the name of your Son, Jesus! Amen!!
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Eric Reamer is an evangelist, and full time Christian Illusionist. If you enjoy this devotional, please e-mail Eric at: Eric@IllustratedIllusions.com.
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