Life Is but a Mist: Living with Perspective and Purpose
James 4:14 challenges us with a sobering reminder: “What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears.” These words, though written centuries ago, are as relevant today as ever. They call us to recognize both the brevity of life and the importance of living with humility and purpose.
The Fragility of Tomorrow
We live in a world that loves to plan. Calendars are filled months in advance, retirement accounts are managed for decades to come, and businesses create five-year strategies. While planning is wise, James warns against the illusion that tomorrow is guaranteed. Like a morning mist that quickly evaporates under the sun, our lives are fleeting and fragile. Illness, accidents, or unexpected change can alter our paths in an instant. Acknowledging this reality isn’t meant to paralyze us with fear, but to ground us in humility and gratitude for each day we are given.
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The Danger of Presumption
James’s words also expose the danger of presumption. It’s easy to speak confidently about what we will do tomorrow, next year, or “someday.” But when our confidence rests solely in ourselves, we overlook the truth that life is not fully under our control. Presumption leads us to pride, to the false sense that we are masters of our destiny. By contrast, recognizing our limits opens the door to reliance on God, who alone holds the future.
Living in the Present with Purpose
If life is a mist, what should we do with the time we have? James encourages us to live with a sense of urgency, not wasting days on trivial pursuits, grudges, or selfish ambition. Instead, we are called to embrace each moment as an opportunity to love God and others. Every conversation, every act of service, every expression of kindness matters. Though the mist is short-lived, it can refresh and bless those it touches.
A Call to Dependence
Finally, James 4:14 reminds us to hold our plans loosely, saying, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). This isn’t about abandoning dreams or goals, but about submitting them to God’s wisdom. True peace comes not from controlling tomorrow, but from trusting the One who already knows it.
Life is brief, fragile, and uncertain. But when entrusted to God, even our short mist-like existence can have eternal impact. Each day is a gift, and each moment an opportunity to live with humility, gratitude, and purpose.
About Russ Hissom - Article Author
Russ Hissom, CPA is a principal of Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists a firm that provides power and utility cost of service and rate studies, expert witness, and consulting services, and online/on-demand courses on accounting, rates, FERC/RUS construction accounting, financial analysis, and business process improvement services. Russ was a partner in a national accounting and consulting firm for 20 years. He works with electric investor-owned and public power utilities, electric cooperatives, broadband providers, and gas, water, and wastewater utilities. His goal is to share industry best practices to help your business perform effectively and efficiently and meet the challenges of the changing power and utilities industry.
Find out more about Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists here, or you can reach Russ at russ.hissom@uarsconsulting.com.
The material in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or accounting advice provided by Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists, LLC. You should seek formal advice on this topic from your accounting or legal advisor.