Don't boast about tomorrow

“‘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 it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” James 4:14,15 NIV

In a story that made headlines over the weekend, it was reported that Eliud Kipchoge broke his own marathon world record at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday. The 37-year-old Kenyan crossed the line in 2:01:09 – 30 seconds faster than his previous record (2:01:39), which he set at the Berlin Marathon in 2018. When asked if he could improve his time even further, he said: 'There’s still more in my legs and I hope the future's still great. My mind is still thinking wise. The body is actually still absorbing the training and racing.' Does this mean we'll see Kipchoge running even faster in Berlin next year – and even clocking sub-two at a World Marathon Major? When asked if he would attempt a sub-two hour run in Berlin next year, Kipchoge replied: 'Let us plan for another day. I will celebrate this record and have to realise what happens. Just roll and see what happens.' Don’t you just love that response?

And you know, when it comes to answering questions about our future, what we will do or where we will go, you and I would do well to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” You see, as James clearly knew, you and I “do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” We “are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Which means, you and I have no reason or right to boast about what the future holds when, ultimately, we have no control over it.

So make the most of the day that you have, knowing that you aren’t guaranteed tomorrow my friend. Live to glorify God through your pursuits, words, and deeds at every opportunity and celebrate His goodness while you can. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that to assume that we will have tomorrow is very arrogant of us. Give us a spirit of humility Lord so that we would recognize that we are nothing without You and can do nothing apart from You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!