May 10, 2019 – Click here to listen
The Rolling Stones used to sing the song, “You Can’t always get what you want.” I have always disliked that band, and their satanic influence, but this particular song does state a truth. We in our vanity sometimes think we have everything figured out, and then we find that we don’t know much of anything and for sure do not control anything. All things considered it’s pretty dumb to boast about tomorrow, because tomorrow may not come, and if it does, it may not yield what we think it will.
I am of the opinion that we shouldn’t cry over spilled milk. If things turn out different than what we want, we should accept it in stride and move on. To me it’s like getting mad because it rains and spoils your picnic. Getting mad is a useless exercise and does not change a thing and accomplishes nothing.
It is sometimes difficult to accept that our plan may not be God’s plan, but very often that is the case. Can we go against the will of God and win? Surely not.
Many years ago, I had a hunting partner that stated something very profound and I’ve never forgotten it. I was lamenting the fact that I had missed an opportunity of a lifetime to take a big buck that I had been relentlessly pursuing for weeks. Finally, one day I got my opportunity and saw the deer heading right for me but instead of waiting for him to get closer, I shifted my position slightly. The wise old buck saw me move and bolted away. I came back to camp in a tizzy. I was not happy and railed incessantly for hours about it. After enduring my tirade and watching me make a fool out of myself, my partner just looked at me and smiled broadly and said, “Bob, if it’s for you, it’s for you. If it’s not, it’s not.” I never saw that big buck again. It was just a missed opportunity and it was not for me.
I’ve repeated my hunting partner’s little saying over and over again to myself through the years when in spite of my best efforts things did not turn out as I desired. In a nutshell I’m convinced that we should just accept our lot in life and thank God for everything He has blessed us with. If you are at a similar point in your life, try it – you’ll like it.
James 4:13
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and
such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell and make a profit”;
whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is
your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!