James 4:13 Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain: 14 whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Vapor is defined as barely visible or cloudy diffused matter, such as mist, fumes, or smoke, suspended in the air or as something insubstantial, worthless, or fleeting. Now I don't believe James, nor God Himself considers us to be neither worthless nor insubstantial. He loves us! But the actual life on earth we have been given by God is very brief when compared to how long our souls will exist - that is for all eternity. It is fleeting and worthless to place your hope in this life alone.
James spoke of the plans that were made for the future. He said you don't know what will be happening tomorrow. Will you even be here inside this earthly body? Tomorrow is the subject of many conversations, many of our thoughts, and even a lot of songs. What did Annie love? Tomorrow. What did Garth Brooks say might never come? Tomorrow. When did the Righteous Brothers ask was someone going to still love them? Tomorrow
William Shakespeare says that tomorrow creeps in a petty pace from day to day. He defines this life as but a walking shadow which fits quite nicely with the thought of life being a vapor, just mist or smoke that vanishes away quickly.
When a much-loved person passes, no matter how much they loved each tomorrow and how may many plans they had for tomorrow here on earth - it didn't come. No matter how much everyone will still love them tomorrow, they won't be able to see them. Death comes when we least expect it. All we can do is pray for those who suffer the loss of one that was much loved. All we can do is live each day in a way that will leave happy memories for the loved ones we live behind and make sure we know without a doubt where our life will continue on at in eternity.
There are so many different ways that death comes. Some suffer long illnesses and their deaths are expected. Whereas others pass quickly shocking us that death came to them so quickly and so unexpected. We must each be sure that we are ready for death when it comes to us. Whether it comes quickly or slowly we must know where our lives will continue on at after they end here on earth. There are but two choices, Heaven or hell.
Make sure you know Jesus as Savior today, for tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone.