* I Plan to Do That Right After...

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
James 4:14-17 NLT

I'm gonna start with "Ouch!" because sometimes the Truth really does hurt...

Here we are in the thick of the Christmas season. I had planned to decorate my home and office this PAST weekend. Let me just say that nothing was accomplished that I had planned to do Friday through Sunday evening. In the eternal measure of it, does that matter? No, of course not. I bless the day our Saviour was born as a man - whatever day it was - so I'm not worried about decorating. It's true that I'd like to. It's true I was planning to... but will I do it to the extent I had originally planned? Probably not. 

As I was contemplating that thought, I'm sure I heard an echo in my spirit. Something I'd heard before... something about being too busy. Do you remember me writing about how God went the extra mile with me to make the point and provide the lesson on how to slow down and how to say 'no'? Remember? (Ouch)  I wanted to slow down. I planned to... but combine the insane pace of today's world with the electronic sensory surfeit and...probably not.

Here's the big "Ouch!" When I ignore God's leading; when I dare to try to justify having to get "this" done first? I may want to hear from God, I may even plan to do what He speaks to me at some point, but combine the insane pace of today's world with the electronic sensory surfeit and... probably not.

Lord, I plan to do that right after I... 

My plans or God's? What we ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise, we are boasting about our own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us our sins. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen