A couple of days ago as we were walking, Rebecca asked what something that I would miss during this pandemic might be. I quickly replied “looking forward.” I am not a very spontaneous person. I like to plan ahead. I enjoy planning a vacation almost as much as actually going. Like most of you, I had made a lot of plans for this year. I was excited about new ministry initiatives, travel to meet with partners on the other side of the world, a special vacation, and now those probably won’t happen. So that is both frustrating and sad. In addition, it is very difficult to make new plans because of the uncertainty of the months ahead.
However, this time is teaching me to savor the small things in each day — to live in the present instead of in my plans for the future. So often I am preoccupied with what is going to happen next week or even in the months to come. James reminds us that too often our planning is rooted in our own self-absorption and the illusion that we are in control of our lives. Just a few weeks ago we were making all kinds of plans without as much as a thought of God. The words from James and these days of disruption remind us that we should instead enjoy the gift of this day, living in the present moment and seeking first the will of God for all our future plans.