No Time for Excuses

What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. – James 4:14

I just received word today that a student at the school where I work was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and the prognosis is not very good. Unless a miracle occurs, this will be his last year at school. The story reminded me of a friend from my high school days, David, who suffered off and on from leukemia. He passed away shortly after graduation.

David knew that God was calling him home and had prepared himself to go be with the Lord. I’m not sure of the eternal status of the student at VMHS, but he knows that his time is probably short.

Do we realize that our lives are but a mist, a vapor? I can recount the last 10 years of my life in about a minute. One little minute. A vapor. Do you remember what you did 57 days ago? A vapor.

James is saying, “You don’t know the future, so stop wasting time!” Serve God now! There’s no room for “I’ll commit to God after high school” or “I don’t have time to help now. I have too much homework.” If your life ended tomorrow, would it have been filled with Guitar Hero or service? With Facebook or commitment? Jesus said that if we love Him we will keep His commands. Not eventually, not someday but will continually obey Him.

Read Luke 9:59-62
What did Jesus say to those who tried to give an excuse? Did the excuses seem logical and fair? Why was Jesus so stern in His answers?