Holy Living: Future Decisions

This morning I had breakfast with a professor of mine. He and I met, mainly, to talk about my internship. We, however, also spent time talking about my future plans, as conceived by my wife and I. There are many possibilities on the horizon for Lauren and I. One such possibility is that once we are done in Lincoln getting our graduate degrees we would be moving, for a little while anyway, Lampeter, Wales.

There is a division of the University of Wales in Lampeter and there they had a degree in Celtic Christianity. I would not be going for that degree but doing a research degree with some of those professors. As many of you know, I have a deep passion for Celtic Christianity. How some of our early ancestors worshiped God is fascinating, enlightening and above all helpful for the modern day Christian. An opportunity to study in of the very countries they came from and lived in is more than fantastic. It would mean an opportunity to live where they lived; to trod where they've trod; to see, in some ways, what they saw. It is a great longing and tugging at my heart. And yet...

I am not alone in this endeavor. I have a wife. I hope to one day have a large family of at least five children. How can I do this in Lampeter? What about my wife's dreams and ambitions? Just how will I reconcile all of this? And therein lies the answer to all of my questions. I cannot.

But God can. James 4.13-17 addresses this issue, in a way. James reminds those merchants and businessmen who think they can plan for years and not take into account God, that they have no guarantee of another minute, let alone a whole year or more. James reminds us that our lives are but whisper of a breath. A mere mist. That those who know the good they ought to do and don't do it, sin. What does this all have to do with my own future plans? I have to remember that God is the one in control. If he wants my family in Lampeter, we'll be in Lampeter. If London, London. Lincoln, IL then we'll be in Lincoln, IL. That good James talks about, it is this, "'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" James 4.15b.

What are you hopes, dreams, aspirations, plans for the future? Have you committed them to God? If you haven't and are still determined to do them, well, we know what James we have to say about that.

In the meantime, I will pray and look for an occasion where I might be able to visit this college or any other that shows itself prominent, so that I can continue to pray and make informed decisions.

These are just my thoughts, my life situation inextricably mixed with a lesson from God on a how to live a holy life. What are you doing to live a holy life?