I write about Stuff

“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.” —James 4:14

There are moments in life when time suddenly feels fragile. A birthday passes, a child grows up, a friend moves away, a loved one dies — and we find ourselves wondering how the years slipped by so quickly. Someone once said that inside every older person is a younger person asking, “What just happened?” Life moves swiftly, often more swiftly than we realize. And if we are not paying attention, we may miss the beauty, the purpose, and the sacred opportunities woven into each day.

Scripture speaks honestly about the brevity of life. Job lamented, “My life passes more swiftly than a runner… It disappears like a swift papyrus boat, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.” His words capture the sense that life is not only short but constantly accelerating. David echoes this in Psalm 39, praying, “Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is… My entire lifetime is just a moment to you.” He describes humanity as “moving shadows,” busying ourselves with pursuits that often amount to very little in the end.

These passages are not meant to depress us. They are meant to awaken us. They remind us that life is precious precisely because it is brief. They call us to live intentionally, to anchor our hope not in what fades but in the God who remains.

For many, the thought of life’s brevity is unsettling. Actor William Shatner once admitted that the idea of death terrifies him — the uncertainty, the aloneness, the fear of becoming nameless after a lifetime of being known. His honesty reflects a universal human fear: what lies beyond this life? Scripture answers that fear with hope. There is a God who loves us, who sent His Son to rescue us, and who offers eternal life to all who trust in Him. We do not have to fear the unknown when we know the One who holds our future.

But James’s question in 4:14 is not only about the uncertainty of tomorrow. It is about the significance of today. “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?” is another way of asking, “What are you doing with the life you have right now?” If life is a mist that appears for a moment and then vanishes, how should we live? What should we prioritize? What deserves our time, our energy, our affection?

These questions become even more personal when we apply them to the relationships God has entrusted to us. What are we doing with the gift of our marriage? Our children? Our friendships? Our church family? Time is passing for them as well. The people we love will not always be with us. The opportunities to speak life, to forgive, to encourage, to invest, to reconcile — they are not endless. A well‑lived life is one that cherishes people, not just accomplishments.

Proverbs 3:6 offers a simple but profound strategy for living wisely: “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” God sees every possible path before us. He knows the choices that will lead to joy, growth, and maturity — and the ones that will lead to regret. He knows the relationships that will shape us, the opportunities that will stretch us, and the moments that will define us. When we seek His will, we are not just asking for direction; we are asking for alignment — that our desires, priorities, and decisions would reflect His heart.

Living well does not mean living perfectly. It means living surrendered. It means waking up each day with a posture of openness: “Lord, guide my steps. Shape my choices. Teach me to value what You value.” It means recognizing that every day is a gift, every breath a mercy, every moment an opportunity to love God and love others.

A well‑lived life is not measured by how much we accomplish but by how faithfully we walk with God. It is marked by gratitude, generosity, humility, and purpose. It is a life that invests in eternity rather than clinging to what is temporary. It is a life that understands that our time on earth is short — but our impact, when surrendered to God, can echo into eternity.

Life is short. But in God’s hands, it can be beautiful, meaningful, and full of eternal significance.

So live it well. Seek His will. Cherish the people He has placed in your life. And trust that the God who numbers your days will also fill them with purpose.