Friends For The Journey

How you see your life shapes your life. What metaphor do you use to visualize your life?

If you view life as a party, your goal will be to have fun.
If you view life as a race, you might make speed your highest value.
If life is a marathon, then endurance is important.
If you view life as a game, you might place winning at the top of your list of values and goals.

There are three metaphors given for life in the Bible.

Life on earth is a test. God allows people’s character (faith and obedience) to be tested (p. 35). Words like trials, temptations, refining and testing occur over 200 times in the Bible. We are constantly being tested in our responses to people, problems, successes, conflict, illness, and disappointment. When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in life. Every time you pass a test, God notices and makes plans to compensate you.

Life on earth is a Trust. Our time, energy intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all gifts that God has entrusted us with. God is the owner of everything. At the end of our lives, we will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well we have handled what God has entrusted to us. Even money is considered a trust from God (Luke 16:10). How we manage money has spiritual ramifications.

Life is a temporary assignment. (To be covered next time).

Point to Ponder: Life is a test and a trust.

Questions to Consider:

1. What has been your life metaphor up to this point? How have you described life?

2. Can you think of a past experience where you can now see that God was testing you?

3. If you were to start living the truth that everything you “own” is really on loan from God, how would that change the way you feel about your possessions?