Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.

This of course brings to mind James saying much the same thing, with the very wise instruction, “You ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:15 Actually, James fits in perfectly in the category of Wisdom Literature, right along with Proverbs.) This is so literally true that it ought to go without saying, but we all tend to fall into presumptive thinking. That’s not to say that we aren’t to plan, but it is to say that we should hold our plans loosely, knowing that God has the ultimate say, and He’s quite likely to have a different idea. Of course, in the long run His plans are always better, but they don’t necessarily feel that way in the moment. At issue here is the fundamental humility to recognize that God is God, and we aren’t. We like to think we are in control of our lives, “the captain of our soul,” but that is a lie fostered by the devil. Free will is real, and our choices and actions do make a difference, but the outcome isn’t actually in our hands. The better we focus on God, listening to Him and walking with Him, the more His good, gracious plans will be manifested in our lives, and that is something to aim for indeed. Sometimes He gives us hints of His plans long ahead of time. I have heard that Bob Prevost had an idea that he would be Pope while he was still a boy, and God told my wife she would be a missionary when she was 12. When that happens we are to prepare, but at the same time we can’t actually make it happen. There was no way Bob Prevost could have manipulated his way into the papacy! Countless things happen over which we have no control whatsoever, so we need to fix our hearts on our Creator.

I had a sharp reminder of this at 11:17 yesterday morning, when we had a level 4 earthquake. It was naturally very startling, and a few things did fall over in the house. Thankfully, it was just a sharp jolt, and not a continuing shaking. Today we expect to go into Nagasaki City to meet up with a group from the US, taking them to the 26 Martyrs Museum and the Atomic Bomb Museum, but what will actually go on is in God’s hands. One member of the group is a Japan MK, almost my age, and I can imagine all the thoughts and expectations that are built up in her. This isn’t the same Japan she grew up in! However, none of us know what the next moment will bring, and we need to be open to God for whatever He has planned. Yesterday I spent a good bit of time preparing to teach on Motivational Gifts, which I haven’t done for many years, and my wife spent a good bit of time preparing for my photo show next month, organizing the pictures I’ve already printed. We are accountable to prepare for things, but at the same time recognize, even emotionally, that we aren’t in control, God is. That’s actually a very good place to be!

Father, thank You for this reminder. It fits in perfectly with what You’ve been telling me for years, to rest, relax, and rejoice in You. Help me indeed to that, today and every day, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!