范先生是越南的一名收藏家，他從歐洲各地搶救了20個教堂的機械時鐘，因為很多這類時鐘都已被電子鐘取代了。在這些時鐘當中，有一個是義大利製造的，可追溯到1750年，令人驚訝的是至今依然能準確報時。范先生熱愛修復並保存這些時鐘，他說，這些時鐘提醒他時間很寶貴，要好好珍惜每一刻。

在雅各書第4章，雅各提醒我們，時間寶貴，我們的生命就像「是過眼雲煙，轉瞬之間就消逝了」（14節，新譯本）。雅各也發出警誡，不要在未曾詢問上帝的情況下，自訂計劃「要往某城裡去，在那裡住一年，做買賣得利」（13節）。雅各告誡信徒，不要自以為上帝會祝福他們做生意的時機與成果，因為「其實明天如何，你們還不知道」（14節）。如果我們把上帝排除在外，逕自規劃自己的成功，其實是一種傲慢和自大。

當我們意識到生命的短暫，就不會過於執著未來的計劃，也更能珍惜現在的每一刻。當我們在生活與工作中，按照上帝的計劃與旨意而行，這表示我們可以謙卑地將未來交託給上帝，無論遇到什麼事，都能好好珍惜每一天，因為每天都是上帝所賜的恩典。

Vietnamese collector Pham has salvaged twenty church clocks from around Europe, many of which had been replaced with electronic versions. One clock, made in Italy, dates back to 1750 and, remarkably, still keeps time accurately. Pham enjoys restoring and preserving the timepieces, saying they remind him of how precious time is and to savor each moment.

In James 4, the writer encouraged his readers to recognize the preciousness of time by reminding them that their lives are like “a mist that appears for a little while” before vanishing (James 4:14). James warned against making plans to “go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money” (v. 13) without consulting God. Instead of presuming on God for the timing and success of their ventures, he reminded them that they “do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (v. 14). Designing our own successes is actually boastful and arrogant if it leaves God out of the picture.

When we recognize the brevity of our lives, we’re able to hold our plans for the future more loosely and better embrace the present moment. We live and work according to God’s design and purpose, which means we can humbly entrust our future to Him and savor each day as the gift from Him it truly is—no matter what it may hold.