July 2026

CONSIDER GOD

“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?
Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
(James 4:14-15)

The Apostle James was addressing those that were busy planning out their lives, making all
sorts of plans, predictions and decisions… that was NOT the problem! The problem was that
they failed to include God in their plans and decisions! They believed in God but lived as if
there was no God! They lived as if their lives were in their own hands – without reference to
God, without thought of God’s ways, without consideration or acknowledgement of God!

In a recent trip to the Philippines, we visited one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature: The
Underground River in Palawan. After a 2-hr road trip and a motor boat ride to the park, you
ride a small paddle boat under the direction of a tour guide. The river runs like a maze under
a mountain of rock and limestone – it’s really dark (pitch black!) so you’re dependent on the
tour guide’s skill and sense of direction! Just before getting onto the boat, you hear the best
advice you can get to fully enjoy the tour: “Stay inside the boat and follow the instructions of
the guide!”. Life is short, fragile, complex and full of uncertainty – to fully enjoy it and get the
most out of it, we follow the same advice: “stay inside the boat and listen to the Guide!”

Prov. 27:1 says ”Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring
forth.” We need to include God… We need to leave space for God… We need to consider
that what we do and the result of all our planning and decision-making is dependent on
God… paraphrasing James: “It is foolish NOT to include God.”

Have a Blessed Week!
Pastor Vino Atienza