Carpe Diem

Posted by Joy Everett on Nov 10, 2011 in Daily Bread | 4 comments

Keeping within the context of this verse, in the previous verses, James is telling us not to boast about what we will do tomorrow, for we don’t even know what will happen tomorrow.

In our small group we have been reading the book “Forgotten God” by Francis Chan.

In it he states, “It is easy to use the phrase “God’s will for my life” as an excuse for inaction or even DISOBEDIENCE. It’s much less demanding to think about God’s will for your future than it is to ask Him what He wants you to do within the next 10 minutes.”

I am so often times that person, I am so busy concentrating on the “Big Picture” that I have left no room for the details.

Let me share with you a personal story:

It was a cold 35°F outside and I was on my way to church as usual because that what good Christian folk do on Sunday and I refused to be late this time, I was always late; The pastor had been complaining about people walking in late for weeks.

As I drove down the road I saw a man walking with nothing but a tank top and a pair of shorts. I felt that I should stop but, I kept driving. The feeling was so overwhelming that I began to pray about it, I was told to turn the car around, I was reluctant but obedient.

I turned my hazards on and stopped my car and told him to get in, it was much too cold to be walking out there like that. A few minutes down the road I finally ask him why he was out there like that. He told me that he had just been RELEASED FROM JAIL… awkward silence… Inside I’m going, God really, what are you doing to me, putting me out here like this?? I’m scared and now I don’t know what to do. In that moment that’s when He was strong, he took over my words and I was able to minister to that man that day in my car on the way to his home. I was able to share with him that it didn’t matter what He did and that he was so so loved by the creator of the universe and how He longed to be in relationship with him and that this was arranged for him.

What would have happened if I didn’t turn around that day? First of all, I would have been disobedient to God’s will and when you go against God’s will you sin. Secondly, who knows what would have happened to that man and would he have ever had the chance to hear that again.

So I was only worried about ‘my plan’ for the “Big Picture”, God had a different plan. Because I was obedient to the Spirit’s leading I was able to be used in that moment. In my head it was God’s will for me to go to church that day.

To wrap up this already long post, I conclude with this; live each day to its fullest, and walk in the Spirit at all times; by being obedient to your calling not just for tomorrow, but for every moment of your life, and for this very moment. Test the spirits; be faithful in all things and at all times. It’s okay to plan but don’t get too set in your own desires and your own plans, your calling begins now, eternity begins now. Enjoy the journey and let the Spirit be your guide, God is writing a much greater story than you ever could. We are being called to another level of faith; a deeper relationship with Him. We are the image of Christ.

But seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:33-34

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. – Ephesians 5:15-18

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you asked the Spirit to lead you through each day? When is the last time you submitted to His leading?
2. How would your life and those lives around us, change if we were obedient to the Spirit’s leading?
3. When is the last time you seized the day?
4. Where is the Spirit leading you right now? How will you respond?