“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.” – James 4:14-15 {ESV}
What humbling words find us from the unapologetic pen of the Apostle James. For all man’s bluster and bravado we are quickly reproved with the declaration that we are mist. Not even a mainstay mist but a dissipating one! We appear – coming into this world as helpless but moving towards strength, we learn and grow and gain and master. Our knowledge increases along with our capabilities; we are trained to discern, predict, handle and prognosticate. Our powers are applauded by encouraging friends and family. We receive degrees and rewards and promotions and respect. Sometimes we hear the whisper that the world could be ours if given the right opportunity. We appear on earth’s landscape as if ours was the only generation which ever lived and we have the potential to be among the chief within it. How substantial that mist feels.
Then it vanishes.
As instant as our conception is also our departure. One day the mist of your life and mine will be no more under the sun. They will forget your name at some point. There will be a day in the not too distant future wherein not a soul on earth will remember your face. Your works will be the possession of another and people will reap where you have sown and watered. This may sound cruel but only if you are currently living your life for your own glory. You will read my words with a sense of loss when you are told that your significance is already fading. You may be tempted to grip the mist and hold it together with all your might because you cannot bear its loss. For those who have made up their minds some time ago that their lives are for the glory of Another, however, the relinquishing of your personal mist is no cause for weeping. You renounced the vanity of your vapor long ago because you beheld a throne occupied by a Lion-Lamb. You met His majesty and felt like a fool for having spent years polishing your own crown. The accolades and accomplishments of your purpose and prowess no longer hold any delight for you. Yes! You have exchanged the vapor glory for the victorious glory of Jesus Christ! The melting of your mist only indicates that you are that much closer to being enveloped fully into the One for whom you have died and lived again. The prospect of the conclusion of your pilgrimage here no longer brings you dread. It brings you an expectant delight, like a child awaiting the greatest treasure from his or her father.
A mist is not much to work with, is it? Yet it has been infused with purpose by the God who gave it to you. I exhort you in the name of Jesus Christ and for His glory to make the most of your mist. It was never intended to endure forever down here and it certainly was not given to you for your own sake. It has always been entrusted to you so that others may be affected by it and think of the One who bequeathed it to you in the first place. Don’t seek to cling to your vapor but, rather, let your vapor cling to others. Let your life-mist rest upon them so that they will sense the dew of God in this barren world. When viewed as being a gift from God, even the mildest of mists has the ability to quench the thirst of many. Because of that truth I know that I must not keep it as my own. It will be undervalued by some but I cannot care too much about that. Some may use up your mist for their own refreshing and not think about you at all. Others will avoid its moisture because it threatens them. No worries, friend – as God has said about His word we must believe it to be true of your life’s vapor:
It will not return unto Him void but it will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it.
Make the most of your mist.
Thank you, Pastor Jeff, for such an inspiring & beautiful message. It was especially meaningful after having just listened to your 2/27/11 sermon. The LORD has given you a wonderful gift. Your words touch me – heart, mind and soul. I wish I lived close enough to join the house of GOD that has been established at Meadow.