Untimely Death and the Illusion of Control | James 4:13-14

We live in a world of plans—vacations, career moves, financial goals. We confidently map out our futures, believing we have all the time in the world to achieve our dreams. But what happens when life takes an unexpected turn, and those plans evaporate like morning mist? A diagnosis, an accident, or even a phone call can remind us how fragile our timelines really are.

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. — James 4:13-14

James calls out a universal human tendency: presumption. There’s an almost boastful tone in the example he gives—someone speaking as if their future is entirely within their control. The arrogance isn’t in having plans but in the certainty with which they’re made, as though tomorrow is promised and success is guaranteed. We often live the same way, assuming time is an abundant resource and our goals are inevitable. Yet the sobering reality is that death can come unexpectedly, even in the midst of our most ambitious pursuits. Over 150,000 people die every single day. Many of them likely began the day assuming they’d see its end.

People often describe death as "untimely." This word reflects our assumption that events will follow the timeline we imagine—long lives, steady careers, and goals accomplished. But when tragedy strikes, we realize how little control we truly have. Consider Khyree Jackson. He was a promising rookie cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings. Selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jackson was eagerly preparing for his debut season. Tragically, he died in a car accident in July 2024 before playing his first professional game. His death was described as untimely because it interrupted the narrative we all presumed would unfold—a thriving NFL career, fame, and a life well-lived.

James reminds us that life is confined to a finite period of time—a fleeting moment, like "a mist," that appears briefly and then suddenly vanishes. When we describe death as "untimely," it reveals how presumptive we are about the timeline of our lives and how little we truly understand the control we have—or lack—in this life.

This tension arises because we instinctively resist this truth. We make plans, dream big, and set long-term goals as though life stretches on indefinitely. Yet James confronts this mindset by reminding us that life is not ours to control. It is a gift, given and taken by the One who holds eternity in His hands. Viewing death as "untimely" often reflects our struggle to accept this reality, placing our presumed control above God’s sovereignty.

To fully embrace the truth James teaches, we must let go of the illusion of control and trust the One who knows the full timeline of our lives. Only then can we live each moment with humility, gratitude, and purpose—grounded in the understanding that life’s brevity is not a limitation but a divine design meant to draw us closer to the eternal.

As you reflect on your plans today, ask yourself: Have I surrendered them to God? Am I living as if I hold the pen, or have I handed it to the Author of life? Embracing God’s sovereignty transforms life’s uncertainty into an opportunity to live each day with gratitude and purpose.

#LifeIsAMist, #TrustGodsPlan, #EternalPerspective

ASK THIS:
How often do I make plans without considering God's will?
What recent event reminded me of life's uncertainty?
Why do I struggle to surrender control of my future to God?
How can I trust God more fully in the unknown?
DO THIS:

Surrender your plans to God today through prayer, acknowledging His control over your future.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, teach me to trust You with my plans and surrender control over my life’s timeline. Help me live with humility, gratitude, and eternal purpose, knowing You hold my future. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Always On Time.