Truth be told, I’m really going to miss football. I suppose loving football is cultural to some degree, but I’ve never played a game I love more. One thing I will not miss is post game interviews. It doesn’t always happen, but too often they end up being a stage for self-aggrandizement by extremely talented but apparently equally insecure fully grown men. The question I always wish I could ask the person spouting about their greatness is the same questions James is asking in the passage. Essentially the question is: “did you make yourself great?” For professional athletes (no matter how much they may protest) the answer is no. They are people who have been given massive amounts of physical ability by God.
No matter how hard I work, I’ll never beat Usain Bolt in a footrace, knock out Floyd Merriweather, out-think Bill Gates or out-preach Tim Keller. They’re all extremely talented but still have no reason to boast; they’re talent comes from God. James is clear, you might be a successful business person but its only because God blesses your plans. Pretending that you don’t rely on God for everything is just boasting, plain and simple. Anyone who has ever had a serious illness, lost a job, experienced a natural disaster or even had house fire knows better than to think that they’re in control. Instead of feigning our ability to control our futures, we should humble ourselves before the one who actually holds the future: God. Ask yourself, where do you see this pride in your life?
I normally wouldn’t do this, but the Super Bowl is coming up and this is just too funny to not share.
First Pres Joliet 
January 28, 2014 at 6:00 am
Humility and grace are qualaties that we all need to embrace. Once in a while you hear an athlete do an interview, and they thank the Lord above before anything. Good for them to know why they are in the position that they have been blessed with. The video was funny, thanks Micah for the laugh this early frigid morning…
January 28, 2014 at 5:44 pm
Absolutely. That kind of humility is definitely refreshing.
January 28, 2014 at 7:33 am
I feel like I could go on for hours about athletes and being humble. Anyone else out there feel the need to celebrate every time you complete something that is part of your regular job routine? Ever picture Pastor Craig doing a little dance after a particularly great sermon? Why does an NFL player have to celebrate every time he makes a tackle? It’s his job to do that.
Anyway, I think it is important to put the focus in the right place as to where our talents come from. I get frustrated too often when I am trying to do well at something that I am not necessarily talented in. I love to play sports. I love the competition, the physical contact, the exercise, all that goes into playing basketball or baseball. Or how much I love to be on the golf course trying to hit the perfect shot. But I also am only mediocre at best at all of those. I find myself getting frustrated for not being able to do better. But I need to take a step back and thank God for giving me what talent I do have to even be able to get out there and try.
The same goes for any other activities I do in life. I feel like I am good at my job. But I am good at my job because God gave me a talent for working with youth and being a role model for them. I can either celebrate that with a little touchdown dance at the end of my lessons, or I can thank God for having a job that is challenging, but fulfilling and fun, and a job where my talents can shine.
January 28, 2014 at 7:34 am
By the way, I loved the video as well.
January 28, 2014 at 7:48 am
Its easier for me to lay put my plans, set my goals, and begin to work the steps to reach them than to wait on God’s direction. Lately I’ve been waiting. And enjoying the gift of time I’ve been given. I’m unsure of directioni will find myself going, but know that I’m learning a lesson about putting faith and relationship with the Lord first and my own plans second.
January 28, 2014 at 7:54 am
And the video is hilarious!
January 28, 2014 at 8:02 am
verse 14-our life is like a vapor-for those of us who are “old” this is very apparent-psalm 39.5 has similar stuff in the Old Testament-our time here to serve Christ is short and should be used wisely-I’m as guilty as the next person of squandering this time-
verse 15 says Lord willing-some Christians put at the end of a letter D.V. which means Deo volente or God willing-don’t make plans without consulting the Lord!
verse 17 speaks of knowing God’s will and not doing it-how serious is this?!-lev 5.17 even lets us know we are responsible for sins even if we are unaware at the time or are ignorant we are breaking God’s law-this is serious stuff-people in far away places who have never heard of Jesus are still responsible for their sins-how much more then are we responsible?!-Oh thank God for the blood of Jesus without which our plight would be hopeless!
January 28, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Its a hard verse… it indicates that sin isn’t necessarily of commission, there’s also sin of omission when we fail to act as we know we should.
January 28, 2014 at 8:23 am
Not only do we need to realize that our talents come from God, but we also need to pray each day that we use these talents wisely and to his glory.
January 28, 2014 at 9:55 am
Most human activities come under the jurisdiction of the Providence of God – “as the Lord allows…” Daniel Defoe’s, “Robinson Crusoe” is an excellent exploration of Providence and on living.
We are finite creatures that live within limitations. Some are limited more than others. Nevertheless, God calls all of us to play our part or fill our role to the best of our ability in what we know as “life.” The faithful do the best with what they have been given otherwise even what they have will be taken away (Matt. 25:14-30).
January 28, 2014 at 12:36 pm
Unfortunately, I think professional athletes do eventually get a hard dose of reality but it is after they fall from their prime and the cameras are long gone. They are easy prey for negative forces that manipulate their ego. Sadly some get addicted to the cameras and stupidity ensues ie Dennis Rodman.
Indeed all of our talents come from a God and He has given talents to every person. Often our talents have a limited shelf life, so we need to thank God for them each and every day, and use those talents for good.
January 28, 2014 at 12:38 pm
That should say…from God not from a God. :0)