James 4:13-17
“If the Lord wills…”
James is not saying that we should not make plans or have aspirations. He is simply pointing out a characteristic that we all have- pride. It is pride to think we actually have control of the things we plan in our lives. James is saying such pride is evil because it removes our dependency to Christ. Our pride blocks the truth. James is not saying that God does not want to complete the things we desire or hope for our lives. If the Lord wills, God will complete the events in our lives. It is the simple action of involving God in every aspect of our lives. Big or small, God wants control. Humility lays aside our will and allows Christ to operate in every part of us.