Unpredictable April!

Those of us who live in the northern half of the United States know that the weather in the month of April can be quite unpredictable. One day we can be in the 70’s wearing shorts and short sleeves, the next day we’re back to our winter gear. This week has been a case in point. Just a few days ago, here in New Jersey, it was in the 70’s and really began to feel as if summer was on its way. Yesterday, just a couple of days later, it was chilly to the point that I had to wear a sweatshirt, winter jacket, hat, and gloves to walk our dog.  Thankfully we didn’t have snow as did some of our friends in the Midwest!  

This is why, here in New Jersey, we don’t normally plant flowers until around Mother’s Day.  We don’t want our flowers to die from an unexpected frost, which can easily happen in the unpredictable month of April. We might say, we need to expect that unexpected and unpredictable weather  just may take place, lest we are caught off guard and end up with a bed full of dead flowers. 

I think most of us would agree that life in general can be quite unpredictable. After all, we never really know what to expect from one day to the next. Oh, we have our plans and routines which very often do come to pass. But we never know when something will happen to throw the proverbial monkey wrench into it all. You know what I mean: the car breaks down, the doctor gives you the bad news, the pink slip is handed to you at work, your child breaks their bone and you’re off to the emergency room, etc., etc. In fact, this past year has been a reminder to us all of the unpredictability of life. After all, who of us ever expected that we’d be living through a worldwide pandemic? 

This is why the Apostle James wrote these words: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:13-15 – NIV)  

James reminds us of the unpredictability of life and thus our need to take all of our routines and plans and place them into the hands of the One for whom nothing is unexpected or unpredictable.  Only God knows the beginning from the end because he is the beginning and the end. (Revelation 21:6). Thus, we trust him to take us through the unexpected and unpredictable things that happen within our world and lives, believing that he will help us through it all. 

So, let’s not be caught off guard by the unpredictable nature of life. Instead, let’s submit ourselves to “the Lord’s will,” as we trust him with our lives. 

Have a great day…and a great rest of the month of April. 

- Pastor Tim Harris