Seeing Life From God's View

The way and the attitude in which we view things really do shape how are lives play out! Actually, Rick Warren says in PDL that the best way to get to understand a person is by asking them how they see their life. The Bible offers 3 metaphors that teach us God's view of life: Life is a test, life is a trust, and life is a temporary assignment. Warren writes about how those ideas are the foundation for purpose driven living. In the Bible, there are many tests, or trials. For example, when Abraham is asked to offer his son to Isaac. Adam and Eve were also tested on different occasions. There are times when we feel God's presence more than others and the most important test is how we act when we do not feel God's presence as strongly as other...an example from the Bible is with a king named Hezekiah. He enjoyed a close fellowship with God--but at a certain point God left him alone to test his character, reveal a weakness, and to prepare him for more responsibility. I think it's SO true that once we realize this, we see life differently in that any obstacle can be an opportunity for growth, or a test from God to see if you are ready for something BIGGER in your life!! What an amazing way to shift our thinking....seeing obstacles as blessings!
The second metaphor, life on earth is a trust is basically saying that our time, our energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all from God. So basically, everything we have here on earth are really just a small loan to enjoy for the time we are here. It all belongs to God, and it will be loaned to someone else after we are gone. That is why we should take pride and care for all of our/His belongings for the tiem we are here. Many people only care for things when they own them. For example, a person may take better care of their home when they own it, as opposed to when they rent. That is not the standard that God wants us to live by! Which brings me to finances, In PDL, Rick Warren writes that most people fail to realize that money is both a test and a trust from God. God uses finances to teach us to trust Him, and for many, it is the greatest test of all. I believe He wants us to have an abundant, yet responsible mindset, and to come from possibility, rather than scarcity!

Questions to Comment on:

What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters
God has entrusted to me?

· Did I think about God while I was in this situation, if yes, how so? If not, why do I think that is?

· Do I treat my material possessions as if they are mine, or as if they are a gift given to me from God? How would a shift in this thinking change the way you live?

· Does God test us daily while we are here on Earth. If so, why do you think he does?

· Does the way I manage/use my money affect the quality of my spiritual life