If the lord wills

"Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 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 4:13-15, NIV)

One day a fisherman was sitting by his boat while playing with his child on a beautiful beach; his fishing pole resting against the boat.

A businessman who was taking a much-needed vacation was walking along the coast and looked inside the small boat and noticed several large yellowfin tuna. 

The businessman complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them?

“Not very long,” answered the fisherman.

 Then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the businessman.

The fisherman explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The businessman asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs . . . I have a busy and full life.”

The businessman interrupted, “I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. You could earn extra money," said the businessman, "then with the extra money, you could buy a bigger boat, go into deeper waters, and catch more fish.  Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets.  With the nets, you could catch even more fish and make more money.  With that money you could own two boats, maybe three boats.  Eventually you could have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me."

"“How long would that take?” asked the fisherman.

“Twenty, perhaps 25 years,” replied the businessman.

“And after that?” the fisherman asked.

"Then," said the businessman, "you could really enjoy life."

The fisherman looked at the businessman quizzically and asked, "What do you think I am doing now?"

One take away from the Fable of the Fisherman is the futility of placing our faith in the future instead of in the Lord.

The self-made or self-assured individual places their hope in their abilities. They constantly communicate their intent and plans which do not include seeking the kingdom of God first, or his divine blessing. As one writer puts it, we would rather focus on the uncertainties of life than the certainties.

There is great humility in the words, “If it is the Lord’s will.” These words acknowledge that nothing happens without God’s knowledge. Remember, he has even numbered the hairs on our heads. Also, it is a reminder that “there is a way that appears to be right but in the end it leads to death.”  (Proverbs 14:12, NIV) Death refers to a spiritual state, a separation from God, emptiness, loneliness and void. 

Unless we seek God’s direction, we often experience the negative consequences of placing our hope in our own plans rather than trusting God. Everyday we have the opportunity to place our hope in the certainties of God rather than the uncertainties of our own plans. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t dream or have aspirations. The word is just admonishing us to seek the will of God as we do so.

If it is the Lord’s will!

GiGi❤️