Make The Most of The Mist

“…What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14 NIV).

James, the brother of Jesus, asks us “What is your life?” It really is a sobering question to consider. He compares our lives to a mist, and he says that we are here on earth for a small amount of time and then we are gone.

James 4:14 isn’t the only passage of the Bible that speaks to us about our time. “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do” (Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV).

I think it’s accurate to conclude that God has not created us to casually stroll through life. After all, He took the time to wonderfully create us. The Psalmist said, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalms 139:14 NIV).

If our lives are so brief, how should we invest the time that God has given us? How do we make the most of the mist, bringing glory to God before our lives vanish like the morning fog? I believe the answer to that question can be summed up in two words.

Be intentional. Making the most of the mist begins with a daily decision to be intentional. Being intentional requires us to live less out of habit and more out of intent. To put it another way, it means that we live thoughtfully, understanding what it is that the Lord wants us to do.

So, are you living intentionally? Are you intentional with your time? Moses prayed to the Lord “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Are you intentional with your church family? Make the decision to intentionally gather and grow with your church. For a practical picture of how intentional the early Christians were, see Acts 2:42–47. If you don’t have a church home, be intentional about prayerfully seeking a Jesus-preaching, Bible-believing church that you and your family may visit.

Are you intentional with your money? Work for the glory of the Lord (Colossians 3:23), act your wage (Proverbs 21:20), save money (Proverbs 6:6-11), get out of debt (Proverbs 22:7), and give generously (Proverbs 3:5-10).

Are you intentional with your kids? Are you hands-on in helping them develop godly character, such as honor, purity, loyalty, integrity, and gratitude? We are here for just a little while and then we are gone. Bob Goff says, “No one will be remembered for what they planned to do.” Decide today to live thoughtfully, making the most of the mist.

As we start a new year in 2024, let’s make it our resolution to live a life of intention. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Moses, Psalm 90:12 NIV).