Hubris Or Humility Series

Mistakes along the way?

In February of 1995, nearly 30 years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in a clear way that has impacted the course of my life - and yet it has not been without mistakes and missteps. He urged me to go to the church the Danielle grew up at and help out with the youth ministry. The church was not looking for someone to fill a role and I was still 500 miles away in college. 8 months later I became a member of that church and started volunteering. Volunteering turned into part time then full time ministry.

Ten years later, I thought I heard the Spirit again calling me/us into…

Church planting

followed someone who invested in me

delayed by the board overseeing the work

placed with a church in NoVa - to help with a revitalization - while still assisting with worship at FBCR.

Pastor left - all staff with him - including me

returned to FBC f/t - leading worship

A few years after that, I again thought I heard the Spirit leading us to

Full time overseas missions

I’ve had a heart for missions for a long time

Felt led to go through a missions emphasis that we had

Wanted to go before our kids got into middle school

Applied to go overseas with the IMB

Economy tanked - door closed

Did I hear incorrectly?

Was God doing something else?

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

Commit your work to the Lord,

and your plans will be established.

I thought that is what we were doing, but God had other plans for us.

As we have been examining the book of James, we’ve learned about a variety of practical ways in which we can live a fully integrated faith. As we look at this next part of the letter, we get to learn how this integrated faith is lived out in our plans.

Open your Bibles to James 4:13.

Throughout the book, James has been using a word that refers to brethren or brothers and sisters in Christ - even going so far as to call them “beloved brothers and sisters.” As he longs for their growth in Christ, he identifies with them as family.

In this section of his letter and the next, he begins to call out people in a different way using words that the ESV translates “come now.” He addresses people who have means and yet because they are addressed in this letter are likely affiliated with the church in some way.

Whether we have means or not, James addresses the idea of plan-making - calling us to consider the sovereignty of God.

In the passage we’re considering today, he writes:

If we could consolidate all of what he says here into one sentence or phrase, it might be…

Avoid hubris and embrace humility by submitting to God’s sovereignty in making plans.

We all have plans - plans for vacation, plans for work, plans for school, plans for church. We have long-term plans and short-term plans. We have plans that last a day and others that last a lifetime. So as we think about this passage, James urges us to consider God’s plans when making our own, noting that…

In making plans...

hubris is irresponsible (13-14, 16)

Let’s look again at a few of these verses:

James is talking specifically about people who are trying to make a profit. The market in one area seems to be good and so they are seizing the opportunity to benefit from things in that other area - so they make plans to go and they assume that everything will work out - exactly as they had planned.

It is a matter of hubris or pride for us to think that we can and should do something at a certain time or in a certain place without seeking the counsel or will of the Lord.

In the affluent society in which we live, it’s not uncommon to receive advice that is designed to help us get ahead. Whether stock advice, business insights, TikTok counsel, or even your brother-in-law’s latest greatest get rich quick scheme, the opportunities in our culture abound.

Beyond just profiteering opportunities, there are general plans before us - vacations, jobs, education, experiences, and so much more.

The point that James makes is not that making a profit is bad or even seizing the opportunity is evil, but that doing so in pride is irresponsible. Placing confidence the the certainty of these plans and the promise of the outcome is foolish - even evil.

As we think about the opportunities that are placed in front of us, there are many good and even God-honoring opportunities. As we look ahead to the next couple of weeks and months - even as a church we have several opportunities -