A few years ago, while visiting one of our Victory churches, I found a small booklet on one of the tables. I picked it up and started reading it, but I couldn’t put it down. I read it over and over again. It really helped me to be able to understand things in clear and simple terms. The booklet was called, ‘WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR?’ by Rick Warren. Everyone on earth will ask themselves this question at one point in their life. If you were just an accident of evolution there would be no purpose for your existence. But God is a god of purpose, and everything He creates has a purpose. One chapter speaks of seeing life from God’s viewpoint and how the Bible offers three metaphors that teach us Gods view of life:
#1. Life is a Trust. (Matt 25:14-29) God gives gifts, abilities, and opportunities to all of us. And He expects us to be good stewards of all that He has given us. This has enormous implications for how we choose to handle everything in life, for in the end we must all give an account of ourselves. (2 Cor 5:10) “For we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that we may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” The principle for judgement and reward will be the same: ‘What did you do with what I gave you?’ The answer we all want to hear is: “Well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” (Matt 25:23)
#2. Life is a Test. When you understand this, you realize that nothing in your life is insignificant. Everything in life, large or small, tests our character, our priorities, and our motivations. Every time you pass a test it proves you have grown and are ready for your next assignment. If you fail the test you have to go back and do it again. (1 Cor 10:13) “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” God is more interested in what you are becoming than what you are accomplishing! Without strong character you will not endure the trials and temptations that come your way and will quit too soon. (Acts 20:32) “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Notice that God will build you before He gives you. If He were to give you, before He builds you, what He gives you could destroy you! Every time my wife and I go through difficult times, that don’t seem right, just, or fair we say, ‘This is a test, and we are going to pass this test.’ Keeping the right heart attitude will keep you moving in the right direction.
#3. Life is a Temporary Assignment. We were in our mother’s womb for nine months being prepared for this life. But in this short, fragile life we are being prepared for eternity. Our physical body is referred to as a tent, a temporary dwelling place. (2 Cor 5:1.) As Christians, we are Strangers and Pilgrims passing through. We are citizens of heaven. Earth is not our home. The peace, happiness, and fulfillment that all people long for can never be found this side of eternity. (Ecc 3:11) Knowing this sharpens our desire to be good stewards and to pass life’s tests. When believers die, they are not leaving home, they are going home! We are in training for reigning. (Rev 5:10) “He has made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”
Yours for running the race and passing every trial in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit!
Dr. George HIll
President and Founder, Victory Churches International