Daily Devotional – Thursday, January 2, 2025
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
James 4:15 (NKJV)
Michail Antonio, a professional player with West Ham United Football Club in England, was involved in a near-fatal accident on December 7, 2024. On New Year’s Day 2025, after spending about three weeks in the hospital, he released a statement in which he underscored why we should not take life for granted.
“Assuming Tomorrow was Guaranteed”
Antonio said: “Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I’ve struggled to find the right words. But this year, I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive. I want to take a moment to acknowledge something I’ve come to realise – I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed. I’ve seen close friends pass away, witnessed others face near-death experiences, and even then, I didn’t fully grasp just how precious life is. What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes. Life is fragile, and every single moment matters. I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here.”
When We Take Life for Granted
Antonio’s statement echoes Elder James’ warning against boasting about tomorrow (read James 4:13-17). James reminds us that we owe our brief existence on earth to God, hence the need to prioritize the Almighty. Indeed, as we plan for tomorrow, we must adopt this attitude: “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
Take a moment to thank God for the gift of life. In addition, as you plan for this New Year, remember to “commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3). Do not take life for granted. You live, breathe, walk, work, and enjoy life because God allows you to. Like Antonio, appreciate God for allowing you to still be alive, then trust your tomorrow to Him.
Prayer
Almighty God, forgive me for taking life for granted and forgetting I am dependent on You for everything. Thank you for the gift of life and for the assurance that You know my tomorrow.
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