As Paul reaches the conclusion of his first letter to the Corinthians, he briefly describes his upcoming travel plans.
I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. (1 Cor 16:5-7)
No doubt, Paul has intentions, plans, and hopes.
I will visit…
I intend to pass through…
Perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter…
I do not want to see you now just in passing…
I hope to spend some time with you…
But above and beyond all of Paul’s intentions, plans, and hopes is a vital realization: it will all happen only “if the Lord permits.”
Lest we think that was just apostle-speak and not something we should necessarily imitate, James calls us to live and act in light of the same realization:
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”–yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)
I will … I intend to … Perhaps … I do not want to … I hope to … if the Lord wills.
Talking like that is the fruit of a humble heart. It’s a simple reminder to myself of my own fragility. It’s a way of teaching my children about the uncertainties of tomorrow and the stewardship of today’s opportunities. But it’s also a sign of childlike trust. My Lord is. My Lord sees. My Lord knows. My Lord wills. My Lord permits. My Lord prohibits. My Lord reigns.
I would do well to imitate Paul’s example, apply James’ wisdom, and trust like a child today. If the Lord wills.