Two calls
What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. — James 4:14
Novelist Bret Lott received two life-changing calls on the same day. The first told him that one of his most promising writing students had died unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. The second call came several hours later from a popular television talk show host telling Lott that she had chosen one of his novels for her monthly on-air book club. It would mean instant celebrity status and financial success. The first call was sobering, the second was exhilarating — and he had to try to balance the two.
Lott, a Christian, took a thick black marker and wrote his student’s name on a white index card and carried it for the next month. “I made a promise to myself,” he said. “I kept the index card in my pocket. It would remind me, ‘Don’t let this [fame] go to your head.’”
The book of James compares our life to “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (4:14). Instead of becoming enamored by our success today and our plans for tomorrow, we should remember that our time is in God’s hands and each day is a gift from Him.
One day, God will call us to be with Him. Knowing this should give us humility and perspective on every call that comes our way. — David C. McCasland
Preparing for eternity,
Awaiting all things new,
Anticipating life with Christ
Should always be our view. — Sper
Read: James 4:13-17
To make the most of today, keep eternity in mind.
The Bible in one year:
• Psalms 100-102
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