Boasting In Our Arrogance

“Hudson Taylor had definite convictions about how God’s work should be done.  We can make our best plans and try to carry them out in our own strength.  Or we can make careful plans and ask God to bless them.  ‘Yet another way of working is to begin with God; to ask His plans, and to offer ourselves to Him to carry out His purposes.”  (W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, p. 243)

How often do we bring God into our decisions of where and when to vacation?  How much is God thought of when we plan for our retirement and 401k?  How are we fitting God into our plans for tomorrow let alone a year from now?  If we were honest with ourselves we would have to admit that much of our planning does not involve God.  Obviously any plans we make that involve church, bible studies, mission trips, or even budgeting may thoroughly involve God.  But overall, for much of our daily life and future planning, God is more of a footnote rather than a heading.

In James 4:13-17, God tells us that leaving Him out of the equation for any planning is a big mistake.  In fact, he calls it boastful, arrogant, and sinful.  Those are very strong words for something that we probably don’t think a whole lot about.  But this is God’s view of the issue nonetheless. 

How can we bring God into our planning?  What does it look like to bring God into our planning for the future?  Why should we bring God into our planning for the future?  May God give us wisdom and understanding as we study this passage and may we be open to God’s movements in our own life and heart as he teaches us His truth on this subject.