“Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” (James 4:15, NASB). These words from James press upon me a profound truth: belief in God’s providence must be more than mere rhetoric. It must shape not only my thoughts but my actions and attitudes as well. Practicing what I preach is the call I hear today, a call to live in the reality of Deo Volente—”God willing.”

For me, the terms luck, chance, or fate have no place. These words imply randomness in a life carefully orchestrated by God to conform me to the image of His Son. This truth carries profound comfort, but it also presents a challenge, especially when my desires are thwarted. Take, for example, the Christmas season just past. I had hoped to celebrate with my son, his wife, and my grandchildren. Yet circumstances prevented it, and I found myself at a crossroads. Without a firm grasp of God’s providence, bitterness and resentment could have easily taken root.

Providence means recognizing that even the disappointments in life are purposeful. This year has taught me that joy is not an emotion dictated by external circumstances but a state of mind rooted in trust and obedience to God. Deo Volente is more than a phrase; it is a lens through which I must view every event, choice, and desire.

Obedience and trust grow difficult when my heart clings to something other than God’s best. Wanting to be with my son and his family was not a sinful desire, but my heart needed to accept that God had other plans. That Christmas day, His purpose for me was to care for my wife, a calling that required a shift in perspective. It was not about what I lacked but about the good God had appointed for both of us. To see His hand in every detail is to live in the freedom of Deo Volente.

James reminds us of our finite understanding and the folly of assuming control over the future. Instead, we are to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” This posture of humility acknowledges that God’s will is not merely a fallback plan but the very foundation of our lives. The difficulty arises when His will steers us in directions contrary to our desires. The bit in the horse’s mouth is often resisted, not because it lacks purpose, but because it challenges the illusion of self-determination.

To truly practice what I preach, Deo Volente must become more than a casual expression. It must transform how I approach each day, each plan, and each disappointment. Every step of my life has been ordered by a loving God who sees the end from the beginning. I may not always understand His ways, but I can trust that they are good and right, conforming me to Christ’s image.

The joy in this surrender is not immediate gratification but the peace of knowing I am in the hands of a sovereign God. As I look back on the Christmas I spent with my wife, I see the gift of His presence in what I initially perceived as a loss. He chose what was best, and He was with me in that choice.

May Deo Volente be more than words on our lips. May it be the song of our hearts, shaping how we live, how we love, and how we trust. Amen.

Cross References:

• Proverbs 16:9: “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”
• Romans 8:28: “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”
• Psalm 37:23–24: “The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.”

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