Kingdom Tension

At Discovery Church we have a summer series entitled "you asked for it". Every week we take a question from the members and try our best to answer that question during our Sunday service. This week we had a tough one and I drew the short straw! Here were the questions.

What is God's will?

What is freewill?

Do the two work together?

Is God in control?

These questions are all good and require deep thought, but they also require them to be addressed together. In other words answering them separately would be easy, but not accurate. Whenever the question of will is posed (whether it's God's will of freewill), the doctrines of Calvinism and Arminianism come to the forefront. Simply, do we have freewill or does God control the fate of each person. Tough question. I can't write here all that was said, but I found a statement which I used Sunday morning, that many responded to and wanted a copy of of. It is not mine and I wish I could give credit to the person who made this statement, but haven't been able to find the original source. Here it is:

“God is in charge of what happens, when it happens, how it happens, why it happens, and what happens after it happens. This is true of all events in every place from the beginning of time. He does this for our good and His Glory. He is not the author of sin, yet evil serves His purposes. He does not violate our freewill, yet freewill serves His purposes. We’re not supposed understand all of this. We are simply to believe it by faith." 

This week my wife and I are preparing for a long awaited vacation. I've spent time ensuring there are no loose ends at church as well as putting our house in order. Then the thought hit me, why am I doing all of this just for a vacation? Shouldn't I be doing this everyday? It reminded me of what James said:
13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. James 4:13-14 (NASB)
I can't deny the excitement my wife are experiencing at the prospect of a week away, but I know from experience that at the end of that week, I'll be missing my home, my kids, my friends and family. Even my dogs. The things we miss most are usually the most important. When we strip all of the things away we are left with a realization that our relationships (even with our pets) are what is most important. Which led me to my next question, am I as excited about seeing Jesus face to face? I'm making preparations for a vacation, but am I making those same preparations for eternity? Am I loving and living in such a way that when tomorrow never comes here on earth, the footprints I leave behind lead to Jesus?
So I guess for me the answer is not to live like there is no tomorrow  (I still make plans and have goals) but I'll live with the knowledge tomorrow isn't promised on earth, but eternity is assured with my Savior and friend, Jesus. And I want people to meet this friend I have.