Seek His will for Your Life

“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

On May 14 of 2005, the first Fargo Marathon took place thanks to the dream of race directors Mark Knutson and Mike Almquist who helped put Fargo, North Dakota on the running world’s map. Twenty years later Knutson said 2024 would likely be his last at the helm, but sadly, he won’t be present at the 20th anniversary of the Essentia Health Fargo Marathon this May. On Sunday, the 53-year-old was killed in a collision with a pickup truck while riding his bicycle in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He was struck by the driver, who was pulling a boat behind their truck, around 7am. No criminal charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing. “The marathon is Mark,” Almquist said. “This is a huge loss for the community and the running community. He touched so many areas. The marathon touches so much of the community. It pumped in millions and helped improve people’s healthy lifestyles, improved people’s health and brought families together and it brought neighbors together.”

And you know, as this story shows, life is very fleeting at best and our best-made and well-intentioned plans are never guaranteed. In fact, the Bible tells us that you and I don’t “even know what will happen tomorrow” much less next month or next year. Which is the very reason we “ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” You see, ultimately God is sovereign over all and wants us to willingly live in dependence on Him. The right approach to making our plans then is first seeking His will for our lives, both for today and for tomorrow as well as every day after that. 

So before making your plans, commit your will to the Lord my friend and ask Him to direct your steps. Then humbly trust Him to lead You, knowing that apart from Him your best laid plans will amount to nothing. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our lives are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Help us to truly understand how fragile life is Lord that we would surrender our self-dependence and look to You to provide for our needs and determine our future, giving you the glory for all good things. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!