TWO CALLS

READ: James 4:13-17

What is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. – James 4:14

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 100-102

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 vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (4:14). Instead of becoming enamoured 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 McCasland

Preparing for eternity,

Awaiting all things new,

Anticipating life with Christ

Should always be our view. – Sper

To make the most of today, keep eternity in mind.