Don’t Take it for Granted
Today was full day, but a good day. I had the opportunity to open today’s session of the Colorado House in prayer. After my invocation the Speaker of House had the members view my “Share Your Story” video produced by Timberline Church. This not only filled some friends in on my journey, but was well received. I presented the Speaker with one of my coffee mugs with my “faith, friends and family” theme.
(If you have not viewed this video it is available at https://vimeo.com/1139718
11 password: ksummers14)
One of the main focuses today was on “Human Trafficking Awareness.” I was pleased to join the UCOUNT Campaign from Fort Collins. We had a good group, including several students from CSU. (picture UCOUNT Campaign members, Senator Kefalas, me) After, a full day using my walker to get around and three hours on the road to Denver and back it is good to be home and look forward to a Friday without appointments.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “You don’t even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears. What you should say is this: “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:14,15
Life has a way of “making up its own mind.” Plans for the future are good and proper, but arrogance about the future is fool-hearty. That is what James addresses as he warns about being over confident about “tomorrow.” When our plans reveal an attitude of pride and a lack of appreciation for the uncertainties of life we set ourselves up for disappointment and sorrow.
Solomon realized this when he said, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.“
Proverbs 27:1
It is so easy to get caught up in life and rush through life, that we fail to walk cautiously, looking to the Lord of His direction and strength to guard and guide our steps.
James says, it is betters to have the attitude, “if the Lord is willing…” I am reminded of the old saying, “if the Lord is willing and creek don’t rise.” If I recall correctly my father’s family farm was located south of Strasburg, Colorado near a creek that would at times flood and cover the road. For them there was a sense of realism in that saying.
When I reflect on my health crisis, I readily recall the times when Debbie would express concern about something related to our “contingency plans.” You know, the “what if something happens to you, what do I do about….?” I would try to provide the practical information to alleviate her concerns and then follow it with something like, “what could possibly happen?!”
I regrettably found out what could happen. And I found out that, “regardless of how well prepared you think you are, you are not prepared as well as you think.”
We are not live life in fear. We are to live life in faith and trust, that whatever does come our way the Lord will be with us and provide what is needed when it is needed. We need to follow the advice of the Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” Remember, “life is fragile, handle with prayer.”