By Sir Victor Ekeanyanwu

 

You may be basing your life on a faulty life metaphor. To fulfill the purposes God made you for, you will have to challenge conventional wisdom, and replace it with Biblical metaphors of life. The Bible says, ” Do not conform yourselves to the standard of this world but let God conform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God” – Romans 12: 2.

 According to Rick Warren, the Bible offers three life metaphors that teach us God’s view of life: Life is a test, Life is a trust, and Life is a temporary assignment. 

 I shall begin with the first metaphor and conclude with the others in subsequent bulletins.

 

LIFE ON EARTH IS A TEST: God continually tests people character, faith, love, integrity, and even loyalty etc. Words like trials, temptations, and testing abound in the Bible. God tested Abraham with the offer of his only son Isaac, God tested Jacob when he had to work extra years to earn Rachel as his wife. Adam/Eve, failed their test in the Garden of Eden, and David failed his tests on several occasions. But thesame Bible gave us example of people who passed their tests, such as Joseph, Ruth, Esther,Judith, etc. 

 

Character is both developed and revealed by tests and all of life is a Test. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointments, etc. I don’t know of all the tests from God, but we can predict some. You will be tested by major changes in your life, unanswered prayers, and even tragedies. A very important test is how you act when God seems distant in your life.

 

When you realize that life is a Test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life. Even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. The good news is that God never allows the tests you face to be greater than the grace He gives you to handle them. ” God never allows you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it and provide you with a way out”.—1 Corinthians 10:13.