If I have learned anything in my 50 years of life and more than 20 years in ministry, I know life is precious. “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’” (James 4:14–15).
Richard RayThis past month, I lost a dear ministry friend when the Lord called him home. In the same month, I celebrated the birth of my sixth grandchild. A week later, we learned of the loss of our soon-to-be seventh grandchild, who died in the womb at four months. We all have experienced months like this, especially if you are in the ministry. In one moment, you are celebrating a new life, and in the next moment, you are mourning the loss of life.
It poses the question, “What is your life?” Scripture confirms and life reveals our lives are just a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
So, how do we live this life, knowing it could end at any time? Some will run through life as an all-you-can-eat buffet, trying everything at least once, without regard to the effects it may have on their life. Others will ignore life, with no regard to success or failure. Then you have those who live in a state of panic, looking for signs their life is ending.
God, who is the creator of life, shares with us in his word that although our life is a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes, it also is a life worth living for him. Each day the Lord gives us is another day we can say, “If it is the Lord’s will, I will live and do this or that for him.”
It is true we do not know what tomorrow will bring, but we do know the Lord is in control of our tomorrows, as he was in our yesterdays. Therefore, we must learn to live life in the Lord’s will, for his will allows us to live life to the fullest. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
Remember, the Lord has called you to serve, but he has not called you to serve alone. Visit our website for more information on how the Bivocational/Small Church Association can minister to and serve you. For more information, contact me at [email protected].
Richard Ray is executive director of the Bivocational/Small Church Association and director of missions for Tri-Rivers Baptist Area.
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