Like a morning fog

It’s hard to believe that another year has passed and another group of students is entering 7^th grade and becoming a part of our youth group. This will be the fifth year I have witnessed a new group of students entering the youth ministry and a group of seniors graduating from high school. The seventh graders I met when I moved here are about to become seniors. That is crazy!

This summer our lessons for reCharge will focus on the book of James. This is a very practical letter in which James offers a lot of good advice for living a life of faith. In James 4:14, he writes, “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 truth this verse holds. So often we get so wrapped up in the moment that we miss the big picture. I think part of the point of what James is trying to say is that we need to look at the big picture so we can more fully embrace the present.

There is nothing wrong with planning for the future or looking forward to something. However, we should never forget that today is the only thing that is for sure. In the grand scope of the world and time, our life is but a blip. But it is a blip with immense importance to God and His Kingdom.

We must learn to grasp our insignificance and significance at the same time. It can be hard to admit that in 100 years almost no one will remember us. In a culture that tells us to pursue fame and fortune above everything else, the reality is that most of us will not find either one.

Think about this… What were your great-great-grandparents names? I would imagine most of us couldn’t answer that question without asking a parent or grandparent. Now tell me what that person did for a living. That’s probably even a little harder.

So what’s the point?

I believe that the point is that in a few years, the details of today will not matter. However, the impact of the decisions you make could last for years. There are families who still suffer relational and emotional struggles because of the actions of a family member two and three generations ago. Whether it was abuse, an addiction, or some other choice, those are the things that last. Someone may not know what the decision or action was, but I am willing to bet that they are feeling its impact.

If we are going to be Kingdom-people, we need to look beyond ourselves. We need to take action based on what will match up with God’s dreams and aspirations. Rather than seeking something that satisfies us in the short-term, look for things that will impact the future. Then, even if your life is but a morning fog, it can leave behind something that lasts much longer.

shine!
Jason