Facing the Uncertain Future

Many of us made resolutions at the start of 2020. Some of us are the type of person described in James 4:13: Either today or tomorrow we will go to a specific city, spend one year there, to carry on a business and be profitable.
 
COVID-19 has turned everything upside down. No one knows the future (Ecclesiastes 8:7). What should we do? Let us learn from James 4:13-17.
 
First, note that the planner in James 4:13 did not consider whether God would approve the plan. We should let God be the center of our plan. Then God will direct us (Proverbs 3:5-6). Also ask God to show us how to carry out the plan He lays out for us (Psalm 119:32). Be humble and fully trust Him. Ask God for wisdom, and He would give it to us (James 1:5).
 
Second, do not presume to have a future. We do not know the first thing about tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1). Our life is temporary, like a morning mist that quickly vanishes. So, do not boast or brag what you are going to do tomorrow. This is arrogance. We can live and do anything, only if it is God’s will (James 4:15-16).
 
Also, do not worry about tomorrow, as such worry robs us of today. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). Ask God to give us what we need today. Plan for tomorrow but live for today.
 
Finally, if we know the good things we ought to do, we should do them (James 4:17). Not doing what we should is a sin of omission. Do not procrastinate; we are not guaranteed tomorrow. So, plan how to do it and act. Action speaks louder than words (1 John 2:3-4).
 
In conclusion, though our future is completely uncertain, we should still plan with God in the center. Make it God’s plan for our life, but do not presume we have tomorrow because we may die tonight. We live only if God permits. Do not worry about tomorrow. If there are good things you ought to do, do them. Make each day count.
 
Summarized from a sermon by Rick Warren at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-5eRVIfqhU



面对难以预料的未来
 
许多人在2020年开始的时候都制定了各种计划。 有些可能像雅各书 4:13中描述的一样：今天或明天将去这个城市，在那里度过一年，开展业务并赚钱获利。 谁知新冠肺炎使一切都不一样了。
 
没有人知道未来 （传道书8：7）。 那我们该怎么办呢？让我们从雅各书4：13-17中学习。
 
首先，雅各书4:13中的计划者没有考虑上帝是否会批准他的计划。计划的中心应该是上帝。 如此，上帝就会指明我们的路 （箴言3：5-6）。 也当请求上帝显明如何行在祂所安排的路上 （诗篇119：32）。 要谦卑并完全信靠上帝。请求上帝赐下智慧, 祂就会把智慧给我们 （雅各书1：5）。
 
第二，不要以为一定有将来。 不知道明天一早会发生什么（箴27：1）。生命是暂时的，就像很快消失的晨雾一样。 所以，不要夸口明天要做什么，这是狂妄自大。我们可以存活和做任何事都是神的旨意 （雅各书4：15-16）。
 
另外，不要为明天担忧。 担忧未来使我们失去现在。每一天都有它自己的难处（马太福音6:34）。求上帝賜給我們今天的需要。可以为明天计划，但要为今天而活。
 
最后, 如果知道应该做的善事，那就去做（雅各书4:17）。 不如此行就犯了忽略的罪。不要有意拖延，不能保证有明天。所以，先制定计划， 然后就去做。行动胜于雄辩（约翰壹书2：3-4）。
 
总而言之，尽管前途未卜，仍应该以上帝为中心制定计划，让它成为上帝对我们生命的计划。 但不要以为一定有明天，因为我们今晚可能就死去。每个人得以生存完全是出于上帝的许可。 不要为明天而担忧。 若有应该做的善事，那就立刻去做。 每一天好好地活出有意义的生命。