Don't save the china and crystal for later

Remember we never know how much longer we have. This is based on a sermon given by Chuck Swindoll in January 2009.

James 4:13-15: Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord will, we will live and do this or that."

James is not condemning making money or planning or settling goals. He is just saying let God into the equation. You never know how God will disrupt your plans, even to the extent of taking you home.

Do not be so arrogant as to think you can plan your life without regard to God. And remember especially how precious life is. We live by the pleasure of our God. He is the author of all life. We are but a mist. We are here for a little while and then we will be gone. The house we live in will most likely out live us, so will the city. The land, the mountains have been here for thousands of years and will likely be here for thousands after we are gone.

Great pastor Donald Grey Barnhouse of Philadelphia was once asked by a member of his congregation, "How could the children of Israel be 40 years in the wilderness and their shoes and clothes never wore out?" Dr. Barnhouse responded simply, "God." The questioner quickly responded, "Oh, now I understand." Barnhouse replied, "No, you don't son. Nobody understands this."

We do not understand God. Only God knows tomorrow.

This is not an encouragement to give up. No it is an encouragement to live, for God's sake. Jim Elliot said, "Wherever you are, be all there." Live life to the fullest!

A moving story Swindoll read recently: My brother once opened the bottom drawer of his wife Jane's bureau and lifted out a tissue wrapped package. It was exquisite silk, handmade piece of lingerie with a trim of cobweb lace. The price tag was an astronomical figure and was still attached to it. Jane had bought it the first time they were in New York, eight or nine years ago, but she never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion.
"Well", my brother thought to himself, "I guess this is the occasion." He took the lingerie and put it on the bed, along with the other clothes that we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material, and then he slammed the drawer shut and said, "Don't ever save anything for a special occasion!"
Every day you are live is a special occasion. I remembered those words through my sister-in-law's funeral and the days that followed as I helped my brother and my niece attend to all the sad chores that followed an unexpected death.
Let's remember that true story throughout 2010.