Just a Vapor

James 4:14 (NASB) Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

 

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us, yet we struggle with priorities. I’m not even going to pretend that I have all the answers to this dilemma. We spend so much time and energy on things that absolutely will not matter in eternity that we neglect the matters of the eternal soul. We run around in our little hamster balls, this way and that, busily making plans and back-up plans.  The truth of the matter is that we have no idea if we will even be breathing in the next moment.

 

Perspective is a wonderful thing, but it doesn’t always come easy.  It seems to usually take a tragedy, a terminal illness, or some bitter situation to get us to focus on things above.  Jesus spoke about not setting our minds on temporary things.  Life is fleeting, and we don’t have the time to waste on things that will not last.  Think about how much time and energy you spend on your job.  If something were to happen to you, how much time and energy do you suppose they would spend on you?

 

This applies to lots of things, not just work.  Why do some people scrape and claw for every dime they can get into a retirement plan, only to have the market tank just before they retire?  God’s grace is sufficient.  Yes, we need to plan for the future, but we must always keep in mind that our real future is eternal.  What can we deposit into that account?  What can I do here on earth today that will have a lasting impact in the Kingdom of God?  It’s time to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Stop stressing over the temporary!  I know it's easier said than done, but we need to move in that direction every day.